mmmmmmsmtmmmm 


WHERE,  WHEN,/  HOW 


EAST  COAST 


W.H.GR.EGG. 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

SANTA  BARBARA 

COLLEGE  OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

PRESENTED  BY 

MR. AND  MRS.R.W.VAUGHAN 


Where,    When,    and    How 
to   Catch    Fish 


ON    THE 


East  Coast  of  Florida. 


BY 

WILLIAM    H.    GREGG, 

of  St.  Louis,  Mo., 

assisted  by 

CAPT.   JOHN    GARDNER, 

of  Ponce  Park,  Mosquito  Inlet,  Fla. 


with 

ONE    HUNDRED    ENGRAVINGS,    AND    TWELVE 

COLORED    ILLUSTRATIONS 

OF   FISHES. 


BUFFALO    and    new    YORK: 

The    Matthews- Northrup   Works, 

1902. 


Copyright,  1002,  by 

WILLIAM    H.    GREGG, 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

All  rights  reserved. 


4  £3 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
SANTA  BARBARA  COLLEGE  LIBRARY. 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.— Introductory. 

CHAPTER  II.  —  List  of  fishes  on  the  East  Coast,  with  mention  of  187,  descrip- 
tion of  125,  engravings  of  100,  and  plates  in  natural  colors  of  12  species. 
Also  weights  of  fishes,  appropriate  baits  and  tackles,  method  of  catching,  and 
edible  qualities,  of  each  species. 

CHAPTER  III.  —  List  of  baits,  natural  and  artificial. 

CHAPTER  IV. —  List  of  fishing  tackle,  with  illustrations  of  same,  and  of  arti- 
ficial baits. 

CHAPTER  V. —  Fishing  localities  ;  general  remarks  regarding  them. 

CHAPTER  VI.— Mayport  (mouth  of  St.  Johns  River),  Atlantic  Beach  (Hotel 
Continental),  and  San  Pablo  (Pablo  Beach). 

CHAPTER  VII. —  Saint  Augustine,  Sebastian  River,  Matanzas  River,  Matanzas 
Inlet,  and  the  beach. 

CHAPTER  VIII.  —  Halifax  River,  Ormond,  Daytona,  Port  Orange,  Ponce  Park, 
Mosquito  Inlet,  and  the  beach. 

CHAPTER  IX. —  Hillsboro  River,  New  Smyrna,  and  Hawks  Park,  to  Mosquito 
Lagoon,  the  Haulover  Canal,  and  beach. 

CHAPTER  X. —  Indian  River,  from  the  Haulover  Canal  to  Indian  River  Inlet, 
and  the  beach. 

CHAPTER  XI. —  Indian  River  Inlet,  Saint  Lucie  and  Fort  Pierce,  to  Jupiter, 
Lake  Worth,  and  the  beach. 

CHAPTER  XII.— Lake  Worth,  the  pier,  beach  and  reefs. 

CHAPTER  XIII. —  Canal  from  Lake  Worth  to  Biscayne  Bay,  beach  and  reefs. 

CHAPTER  XIV. —  Biscayne  Bay,  Lemon  City,  Miami  and  Cocoanut  Grove. 

CHAPTER  XV. —  Cape  Florida  to  Caesar's  Creek  and  reefs. 

CHAPTER  XVI.— Caesar's  Creek  to  Indian  Key  and  reefs. 

CHAPTER  XVII.  — Indian  Key  to  Key  West. 

CHAPTER  XVIII.— Key  West. 

CHAPTER  XIX.— Inside  Route  Key  West  to  Bahia  Honda. 

CHAPTER  XX.—  Hotel  and  Boarding  House  List.     East  Coast. 

CHAPTER  XXI.— Conclusion. 

INDEX. 

MAP   OF   EAST   COAST   OF   FLORIDA. 


CHAPTER  I. 
INTRODUCTORY. 

I  have  been  a  frequent  visitor  to  Florida,  my  first  visit  occurring 
in  February,  1885,  and  I  have  spent  the  most  of  my  time  at  the  vari- 
ous angling  resorts  on  the  Eastern  and  Western  Coasts  of  the  State. 

Before  going  there  I  had  been  a  reader  of  the  angling  literature 
of  the  times,  wholly,  or  in  part,  devoted  to  that  part  of  the  United 
States. 

Among  the  works  I  consulted  were  Frank  Forester  (Henry  Wil- 
liam Herbert),  "  Fish  and  Fishing,"  1859  ;  Thaddeus  Norris,  ''Amer- 
ican Anglers'  Book,"  1864;  Genio  C.  Scott,  "Fishing  in  American 
Waters,"  1869;  "Camp  Life  in  Florida,"  edited  by  Charles  Hal- 
lock,  principal  contributors:  S.  C.  Clarke,  "  Al  Fresco"  (Doctor 
Kenworthy),  and  "  Fred  Beverly,"  1876;  "  Sportsmen's  Gazetteer," 
Charles  Hallock,  1877  ;  "  Camping  and  Cruising  in  Florida,"  James 
A.  Henshall,  1884. 

The  above  books,  with  the  contemporaneous  articles  and  contri- 
butions to  "Forest  and  Stream"  and  other  periodicals  devoted  to 
hunting  and  fishing,  furnished  to  the  visiting  anglers  a  wealth  of 
information  as  to  where  to  fish  in  Florida. 

At  the  time  Dr.  Henshall  published  his  "  Camping  and  Cruising  " 
there  were  only  the  following  named  railroads  in  the  State  :  The 
Narrow  Gauge,  between  Jacksonville  and  St.  Augustine  ;  the  Penin- 
sular, between  Fernandina  and  Cedar  Keys  ;  and  the  one  from  Jack- 
sonville to  Palatka,  on  St.  Johns  River. 

Parties  visiting  the  West  Coast  were  obliged  to  go  by  steamer  up 
the  St.  Johns  River,  and  stage  or  wagon  across  to  the  coast ;  or  by 
rail  to  Cedar  Keys,  and  then  north  or  south  to  their  destination  by 
small  steamers,  or  small  sailing  craft.  Parties  for  the  East  Coast 
could  go  from  Jacksonville  to  New  Smyrna  by  steamer  or  sailboat, 
then  up  or  down  the  inside,  or  outside,  waters  to  destination  on  sail- 
boats ;  or  could  take  steamer  up  the  St.  Johns  to  Sanford,  or  Enter- 
prise, and  stage  or  wagon  to  New  Smyrna  or  Titusville,  then  small 
sailboat  up  or  down  the  coast. 

While  the  above  conditions  of  transportation  prevailed,  it  can  be 
readily  seen  that  the  fishing  tourists  were  not  very  numerous.     Since 


4  WHERE,    WHEN,    AND   HOW   TO  CATCH  FISH 

then  the  State  has  been  covered  with  a  network  of  railroads,  reaching 
all  important  points  on  both  coasts,  except  Key  West. 

While  this  transformation  has  been  in  progress,  I  know  of  no  book 
having  been  published  wholly  devoted  to  the  angler's  pursuit  in  the 
State,  the  field  having  been  only  partially  covered  by  articles  in,  and 
contributions  to,  "Forest  and  Stream,"  the  "American  Angler," 
various  isolated  articles  in  other  sporting  papers  and  magazines,  and 
in  a  few  books.  Among  the  latter  I  will  mention  "American  Game 
Fishes,"  published  by  Rand  &  McNally,  1892,  which  contains  contri- 
butions by  W.  N.  Haldeman  on  the  Tarpon  ;  the  Bluefish,  by  G. 
Browne  Goode  ;  and  Sea  Bass  and  other  Fishes,  by  S.  C.  Clarke.  All 
of  these  are  fragmentary  and  desultory,  so  can  be  of  but  little  prac- 
tical use  to  the  angling  visitor  who  desires  to  know  where  he  ought  to 
go  to  get  fair  success  at  the  present  time.  It  has  seemed  strange  to 
me  that  no  one  of  the  very  many  anglers  of  well-known  literary  abil- 
ity has  undertaken  to  write  a  systematic  book  of  information  and  in- 
struction on  the  game  fishes  of  the  State,  for  which  there  is  certainly 
an  apparent  need. 

As  no  one  has  appeared  to  take  the  task,  it  has  occurred  to  me 
that  possibly  I  could  assume  it,  although  not  as  fully  qualified  in  every 
respect  as  many  other  anglers  of  more  literary  experience  would  be. 
I  have,  to  quote  Thaddeus  Norris  in  his  introduction  to  "American 
Anglers  Book,"  "overcome  my  scruples  as  to  my  shortcomings  as  a 
writer,  for  I  profess  to  be  only  an  angler,"  and  have  decided  to  write 
and  publish  the  book,  with  the  hope  that  it  will  be  of  substantial 
benefit  to  my  brothers  of  the  craft.  In  the  preparation  of  the  book  I 
am  to  have  the  assistance  of  Capt.  John  Gardner  of  Ponce  Park 
(Mosquito  Inlet),  Florida,  who  has  had  thirty  years'  experience  as 
fisherman,  boatman  and  guide  on  the  East  Coast.  In  order  to  show 
the  reader  the  captain's  qualifications  and  my  own,  to  impart  the 
information  contained  in  the  book,  I  think  it  well  to  give  a  short 
account  of  our  experience  on  the  waters  included  in  the  territory  I 
treat  of. 

Capt.  Gardner  was  born  in  the  interior  of  Florida,  and  at  an 
early  age  removed  to  St.  Augustine,  where  he  "  fished  on  de  sea  wall  " 
with  the  Minorcan  boys,  and  since  1871  has  resided  on  the  Halifax 
River,  Hillsboro  River,  and  Mosquito  Lagoon,  all  of  which  waters 
are  connected  and  continuous,  extending  from  the  Tomoka  River,  four 
miles  north  of  Ormond,  south  to  the  north  end  of  Indian  River.     At 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST   OF  FLORIDA.  5 

the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  commenced  to  row  and  sail  boats  for 
parties  fishing  for  sport,  his  headquarters  then  being  at  that  well- 
known  sportsmen's  and  family  winter  resort,  the  Oak  Hill  House, 
situated  on  the  west  side  of  Mosquito  Lagoon,  managed  by  Mr.  Frank 
W.  Sams,  then  and  now  the  proprietor  of  the  Ocean  House  at  New 
Smyrna  on  the  Hillsboro  River,  five  miles  south  of  Mosquito  Inlet. 
From  the  above  until  the  present  time  Capt.  Gardner  has  been 
almost  constantly  engaged  during  the  fall,  winter  and  spring  seasons, 
and  often  during  the  summer,  in  guiding  fishing  parties ;  and  in 
charge  of  sailboats  and  yachts  on  the  inside  and  outside  waters  of  the 
East  Coast.  During  a  few  of  the  summer  seasons  he  has  worked  as  a 
carpenter  and  boat  builder,  having  built  five  sailboats  and  many  row- 
boats  adapted  to  the  East  Coast  waters  and  the  occupation  in  which 
he  has  been  engaged.  His  home  has  been  :  seven  years  at  Oak  Hill, 
seven  at  New  Smyrna,  and  sixteen  at  Ponce  Park,  which  village  is 
situated  at  Mosquito  Inlet,  eighteen  miles  south  of  Ormond,  twelve 
south  of  Daytona,  and  five  north  of  New  Smyrna. 

All  three  of  above-mentioned  places  of  his  residence  are  well- 
known  sport  fishing  resorts,  and  for  many  years  were  the  leading  resorts 
on  the  East  Coast.  Among  the  many  sportsmen  he  has  guided,  I  will 
mention  a  few,  namely  :  Mr.  S.  C.  Clarke  of  Boston,  widely  known 
as  an  angler,  and  writer  on  angling  and  other  subjects,  who  spent 
much  time  at  Ponce  Park  ;  Mr.  Benson,  who  fished  at  Enterprise,  on 
St.  Johns  River,  and  at  New  Smyrna  and  Ponce  Park  for  many  years  ; 
Mr.  Samuel  H.  Jones  of  Philadelphia,  whom  he  guided  five  consecu- 
tive winter  seasons,  being  with  him  when  he  caught  the  first  Tarpon 
ever  taken  with  rod  and  reel,  which  occurred  at  Indian  River  Inlet 
during  the  winter  of  1884  ;  Mr.  C.  E.  Hillman  and  Mr.  Saury  of 
Nashville,  Tenn.;  Mr.  McFarren  and  Doctor  Diehl  of  Louisville,  Ky.; 
Commodore  Asten  of  New  York ;  Mr.  George  F.  Peabody  of  Apple- 
ton,  Wis.;  Mr.  W.  E.  Connor  of  New  York;  Mr.  Edward  P.  Borden 
of  Philadelphia;  Professor  W.  A.  Walker  of  Charleston,  S.  C; 
Messrs.  John  G.  Prather,  John  A.  Scudder,  H.  G.  Brookings,  James 
Lupe,  the  two  brothers  Mandeville,  W.  H.  Gregg,  W.  H.  Gregg,  Jr., 
and  Frederic  Hawley  of  St.  Louis  ;  and  Mr.  Charles  M.  Hays  of 
Montreal,  Canada. 

While  with  several  of  the  above  gentlemen  he  sailed  their  boats, 
or  yachts,  on  cruises  extending  in  some  cases  from  Ormond  to  Key 
West,  and  extending  in  time  from  a  few  days  to  eight  months. 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

He  accompanied  Mr.  Frank  W.  Sams,  U.  S.  Inspector  of  Life 
Saving  Stations  and  Houses  of  Refuge,  on  the  East  Coast,  on  twelve 
inspection  trips  during  1884-5-6-7-8,  from  New  Smyrna  to  Biscayne 
Bay,  there  being  at  that  time  no  regular  steamer  or  rail  communica- 
tion, and  no  canals  except  the  old  "  Haulover  "  between  Mosquito 
Lagoon  and  Indian  River.  These  trips  were  made  in  small  sailboats 
to  Jupiter,  and  from  there  south  to  Biscayne  Bay  in  canoes.  During 
eleven  of  these  trips  they  came  north  by  the  inside  route  from  Bis- 
cayne Bay  to  the  south  end  of  Lake  Worth,  through  the  saw -grass  of 
the  eastern  edge  of  the  Everglades,  utilizing  the  sounds  and  other 
waters  of  New  and  Hillsboro  rivers,  and  Lake  Worth  Creek,  as  much 
as  possible.  (There  are  two  Hillsboro  rivers  on  the  East  Coast  and 
one  on  the  West  Coast,  which  latter  enters  Hillsboro  Bay  at  Tampa. ) 
During  April,  1895,  he  made  a  land  hunting  trip  from  New  Smyrna  to 
Biscayne  Bay  in  a  small  sailboat,  going  outside  from  Jupiter  to  the  Bay, 
where  he  remained  two  weeks.  During  all  these  trips  he  paid  partic- 
ular attention  to  the  fishing,  while  en  route,  and  when  at  the  stations. 

He  has  also  sailed  freight  and  passenger  schooners  and  sloops 
between  New  Smyrna  and  Jacksonville,  calling  many  times  at  St.  Au- 
gustine, and  has  made  one  visit  to  Fernandina. 

During  the  thirty  years  covered  by  the  above  recital,  he  has  fished 
for  sport,  and  sometimes  for  market,  at  many  points  above  Jackson- 
ville, on  the  St.  Johns  River  ;  at  St.  Augustine,  in  the  Matanzas  and 
St.  Sebastian  rivers  ;  at  Matanzas  Inlet,  eighteen  miles  south  of  the 
city  ;  and  outside  from  there,  both  from  boats  and  in  the  surf  from 
the  beach ;  and  inside,  through  the  rivers,  lagoons,  canals,  Lake 
Worth,  Biscayne  Bay,  and  the  line  of  Keys,  all  the  way  to  Key  West, 
covering  every  inlet  and  pass  of  importance  the  entire  distance. 


I  first  came  to  Florida  early  in  February,  1885,  stopping  at  St. 
Augustine.  I  fished  in  the  Matanzas  and  Sebastian  rivers  many 
times,  and  before  leaving  spent  three  days  at  Matanzas  Inlet,  at  the 
south  end  of  Matanzas  River. 

About  the  first  of  March  I  went  by  stage  from  St.  Augustine  to 
Daytona,  a  distance  of  sixty-five  miles,  where,  with  two  other  gentle- 
men, I  chartered  a  small  sloop  in  charge  of  her  owner,   Capt.  Ward. 

We   proceeded  to  Ponce   Park,  twelve   miles  to  the  south,  fishing 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  7 

there  four  or  five  days,  and  then  on  to  New  Smyrna,  where  we  stop- 
ped at  the  Ocean  House  about  a  week,  putting  in  our  time  on  the 
water.  Then  on  south  to  the  Oak  Hill  House  on  Mosquito  La- 
goon, where  we  stayed  one  day,  then  to  the  "  Haulover  "  one  day, 
from  where  we  went  on  down  Indian  River  to  Paine' s  boarding  house, 
opposite  Indian  River  Inlet,  having  stopped  one  day  each  at  Titus- 
ville  and  Rock  Ledge.  We  remained  at  Paine's  several  days,  when 
my  companions  left  me  and  returned  to  St.  Augustine.  I  continued  on 
to  Jupiter,  where  I  remained  several  days,  then  returning  to  Indian 
River  Inlet,  where  I  took  a  small  steamer,  belonging  to  Jacob  Loril- 
lard,  to  Rock  Ledge.  That  steamer  was  the  first  one  to  carry  passen- 
gers on  Indian  River.  We  were  four  days  making  the  trip  to  Rock 
Ledge,  owing  to  oyster  bars  in  the  river  which  the  steamer  often  ran 
onto.  At  Rock  Ledge  I  took  a  wagon  over  to  Lake  Poinset,  where  I 
boarded  a  steamer  for  Sanford,  and  from  the  latter  place,  steamer  to 
Jacksonville. 

My  next  trip  to  the  State  was  during  the  winter  of  1890,  when  I 
repeated  the  above  trip  on  Indian  River  down  to  Jupiter  on  the  sloop 
"  Hillsboro,"  in  charge  of  her  owner,  B.  J.  Pacetti,  with  John  Gard- 
ner as  assistant. 

During  the  winter  of  1891,  I  again  repeated  the  two  former 
cruises,  on  the  sloop  "  Lillie  Shippey,"  with  the  owner,  Dick  McCarty, 
in  charge,  and  John  Gardner  assistant.  On  this  cruise  I  made  more 
stops  than  I  had  before.  From  181)2  to  1897,  inclusive,  I  cruised 
over  the  same  waters  as  above  with  B.  J.  Pacetti  on  the  "Hillsboro," 
also  visiting  Lake  Worth  many  times,  where  I  first  stopped  at  Dim- 
mick's  Hotel,  and  later  at  the  Royal  Poinciana.  In  1896  I  spent  the 
month  of  April  at  the  Hotel  Riviera  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake, 
nearly  opposite  the  inlet.  During  the  season  I  spent  a  week  at  May- 
port,  mouth  of  St.  Johns  River.  In  March,  1892,  Mr.  Edward  P. 
Borden  and  myself  chartered  the  schooner  "Manatee,"  her  owner, 
Capt.  John  Zellers,  in  charge,  for  a  cruise  down  a  part  of  the  East 
Coast  and  around  the  capes  to  the  West  Coast.  We  sailed  out  at 
Gilbert's  Bar,  Indian  River,  at  8.30  A.  M.  and  made  Bears  Cut,  Bis- 
cayne  Bay,  at  7.30  P.  M.,  a  run  of  one  hundred  and  ten  miles. 

On  the  run  we  trolled  for  Bluefish,  Spanish  Mackerel,  and  King- 
fish,  catching  a  large  number,  returning  all  to  the  water  except  a  few 
for  the  table. 

We  remained  on  the  Bay  about  a  week,  visiting  the  rapids,  five 


8  WHERE,    WHEN,   AXD   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

miles  up  the  Miami  River,  Cocoanut  Grove,  and  other  places  of  inter- 
est, passing  on  south,  inside,  stopping  at  Cape  Florida,  Soldier  Key, 
Ragged  Keys,  Sands  Cut  (called  by  Capt.  Zellers,  the  Aquarium), 
Caesar's  Creek  (a  pass  into  the  ocean),  then  outside  to  Indian  Key, 
where  we  fished  around  Alligator  Lighthouse,  four  and  one-half 
miles  off  the  Key,  for  Barracouda,  catching  seven,  trolling  with  squids 
from  rowboats. 

Mr.  Borden  took  one  of  forty-six  pounds,  my  largest  weighing 
twenty-four  pounds. 

Our  next  stop  was  inside  Long's  Key,  from  whence  we  sailed, 
across  the  Bay  of  Florida  to  Cape  Sable,  forty-five  miles,  from  which 
point  we  proceeded  up  the  West  Coast,  stopping  at  Shark  Creek, 
Whitewater  Bay,  Horse  Creek,  Chuckaluska,  Marco,  and  some  other 
unimportant  creeks  and  bays,  finally  running  into  Punta  Rassa,  on 
Charlotte  Harbor,  through  San  Carlos  Pass. 

We  devoted  about  two  weeks  to  Charlotte  Harbor  and  Ostero  Bay, 
five  miles  to  the  south,  catching  many  kinds  of  fishes,  including  Tar- 
pon, in  the  harbor  and  bay.     Mr.  Borden  also  caught  Tarpon  at  Marco. 

In  addition  to  the  above  cruise,  I  have  made  four  fishing  trips  to 
the  West  Coast,  having  spent  some  days,  or  weeks,  at  each  of  the  fol- 
lowing places :  Homosassa,  on  the  Homosassa  River ;  Tarpon 
Springs,  on  the  Anclote  River ;  Duneden,  Clear  Water,  Johns  Pass, 
Pass  a  Grille,  and  Disston  City,  on  Clearwater  Harbor;  St.  Peters - 
burgh,  Port  Tampa,  and  Tampa,  on  Tampa  Bay ;  Sarasota,  on  Sara- 
sota Bay ;  Punta  Gorda,  Pease  Creek,  St.  James  City  (on  Pine 
Island),  Punta  Rassa,  on  Charlotte  Harbor;  and  Fort  Meyers,  on  the 
Caloosa  River. 

I  have  also  visited  the  following  points  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  : 
Pass  Christian  three  times,  one  visit  of  two  months  ;  Bay  St.  Louis, 
Wolf  River,  English  Lookout  at  mouth  of  Pearl  River,  Biloxi,  Ocean 
Springs  and  Pensacola. 

In  the  above  account  I  have  purposely  refrained  from  giving  details 
of  the  fishing  at  the  different  places  visited,  because  the  account  was 
written  partly  to  show  the  basis  for  Capt.  Gardner's  and  my  own 
knowledge  of  the  subject  in  hand ;  and,  in  addition,  because  I 
intend  to  give  all  the  detail  when  I  describe  the  fishes  and  the  locali- 
ties where  they  are  caught.  And,  as  a  still  more  potent  reason  for 
avoiding  detail,  I  did  not  desire  to  tell  "any  big  fish  stories,"  thus 
raising  the  expectations  of  my  readers  by  recounting  the  condition  of 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST    OF  FLORIDA.  9 

affairs  before  the  advent  of  the  steamboat,  the  railway,  and  last,  but 
not  least,  the  ice  factory,  which  were  quickly  followed  by  the  "man 
with  the  net." 

The  above  mentioned  factors  have  measurably  decreased  the  num- 
ber of  fishes,  but  there  are  still  enough  left  to  satisfy  the  average 
sport  fisher,  who  is  willing  and  persevering.  My  book  is  written  with 
the  intention  of  giving,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  the  conditions 
existing  at  the  present  time  on  the  entire  coast,  and  I  will  refer  those 
of  my  readers  who  wish  to  read  of  the  fishing  "as  it  used  to  be  "  to 
the  writers  I  have  already  mentioned. 

In  the  next  chapter  I  will  give  a  list  of  the  fishes  I  have  caught, 
observed,  or  know  to  have  been  caught  on  the  coast ;  and  in  succeed- 
ing chapters  will  give  list  of  baits,  natural  and  artificial,  which, 
according  to  my  experience,  should  be  used  for  each  kind  of  fish  ; 
and  a  description  of  the  tackle  I  consider  necessary.  After  the 
above,  I  will  treat  of  the  fishing  places  I  consider  of  importance, 
stating  the  variety  of  fishes  at  each  place,  and  how,  and  where,  to 
fish  for  them. 


At  the  risk  of  wearying  the  reader  with  a  too  long  introductory 
chapter,  I  close  this  one  by  quoting  the  opinions  of  some  very  high 
authorities  regarding  the  coasts  of  Florida  as  to  their  angling  resorts. 
Barton  W.  Evermann,  Ichthyologist  of  United  States  Fish  Commis- 
sion, in  a  paper  read  at  Fishery  Congress,  held  at  Tampa,  Fla.,  January 
19,  1898,  says:  "There  is  perhaps  no  State  in  the  Union  whose 
fishes  have  attracted  more  general  attention  than  those  of  Florida. 
The  interest  in  the  fishes  of  this  State  is  shared  by  the  commercial 
fisherman,  the  angler  and  the  ichthyologist. 

"The  number  of  species  that  are  sought  because  of  their  com- 
mercial value  is  far  greater  than  in  any  other  section  of  Amer- 
ica. Those  that  are  of  interest  to  the  angler  are  more  numerous 
than  any  other  State  can  boast,  while  the  richness  and  peculiarities 
of  the  fish  fauna  of  Florida  have  made  this  State  a  fascinating  field 
to  the  ichthyologist  and  student  of  geographic  distribution."  "  The 
total  number  of  fishes  known  from  Floridian  waters  is  about  600,  or 
about  one-fifth  of  the  entire  fauna  of  America,  north  of  Panama. ' ' 
"The  warm  waters  of  the  Keys  serve  as  a  more  or  less  effective 
barrier  to   the  passage  of  fishes  living  in  colder  water.     As  a  result, 


10  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

many  species  are  found  on  the  East  Coast  of  Florida  which  do  not 
occur  on  the  Gulf  Coast,  and  vice  versa.  There  are  so  many  species 
found  on  the  West  Coast  that  are  not  known  on  the  East  Coast  that 
the  two  coasts  may  be  regarded  as  having  separate  fauna."  "  There 
is  no  other  place  in  the  United  States  where  one  can  study  live  fishes 
so  satisfactorily  as  at  Key  West."  "Trolling  for  kingfish,  jack, 
crevalle,  bluefish,  Spanish  mackerel,  and  spotted  sea  trout  at  Indian 
River,  Lake  Worth,  Key  West,  or  Biscayne  Bay,  furnishes  sport  of 
the  most  exciting  kind  ;  while  still  fishing  for  sheepshead  and  man- 
grove snappers  at  Indian  River  Inlet ;  for  chubs,  porgies,  porkfish, 
yellowtails,  snappers,  and  grunts  at  Key  West ;  or  for  red  snappers, 
red  groupers,  and  others  of  their  kin  on  the  Snapper  Banks  furnishes 
sufficient  variety  to  please  any  angler,  in  whatever  mood  he  may 
chance  to  be.  I  have  fished  in  every  State  and  Territory  in  the 
Union  but  three,  and  from  Siberia  and  Behring  Sea  to  the  Gulfs  of 
California  and  Mexico,  and,  all  things  considered,  regard  Florida  as 
unequaled  in  the  richness  and  variety  of  its  attractions  for  all  sorts  of 
sport  with  rod  and  reel." 

Lieut.  William  Henn  of  the  British  Navy,  a  well-known  yachts- 
man and  sportsman,  in  an  article  contributed  to  the  Century  Maga- 
zine, June,  1893,  entitled  "  Caught  on  a  Lee  Shore,"  says  :  "The 
coasts  of  Florida,  from  the  head  of  Indian  River  on  the  east  to 
Tampa  Bay  or  Cedar  Keys  on  the  west,  are  about  the  best  cruising- 
grounds  for  a  small  or  medium-sized  yacht  that  I  am  acquainted  with. 
As  for  the  fishing,  for  variety,  gameness,  size  and  quantity  of  the 
fish,  I  believe  it  to  be  the  best  in  the  world.  And  game,  both  fin 
and  feather,  is  more  or  less  abundant,  according  as  the  country  is 
more  or  less  settled." 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  11 

CHAPTER    II. 
LIST  OF  FISHES  CAUGHT  ON  THE  EAST  COAST. 

In  the  classification,  nomenclature,  and  illustrations  in  the  follow- 
ing list  I  have  followed  "  Bulletin  No.  47  "  of  the  United  States  Na- 
tional Museum,  prepared  by  David  Starr  Jordan,  Ph.  D. ,  President  of 
the  Leland  Stanford  University,  and  Barton  Warren  Evermann,  Ph.  D., 
Ichthyologist  of  the  United  States  Fish  Commission,  which  work  was 
completed  in  four  volumes  in  March,  1900,  and  is  entitled  "The 
Fishes  of  North  and  Middle  America,  a  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  the 
Species  of  Fish -like  Vertebrates  found  in  the  waters  of  North  America, 
North  of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama. "  It  contains  descriptions  of  3,263 
species,  and  958  illustrations  of  fishes.  As  is  well  known,  the  United 
States  National  Museum  is  under  the  supervision  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institution. 

The  above  work  is  a  continuation,  revision,  and  correction  of 
Bulletin  16  of  the  United  States  National  Museum,  published  in  1883 
by  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  entitled  "  Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of  North 
America,"  with  addition  of  species  discovered  between  the  dates  of 
the  two  bulletins,  so  is  the  standard  authority  at  this  time  as  to  the 
classification  and  scientific  and  common  names  of  the  fishes  of  North 
America. 

It,  naturally,  must  be  the  authority,  or  "  court  of  last  resort,"  to 
decide  all  disputes  as  to  the  correct  names  of  all  the  fishes  mentioned 
in  it,  and  there  are  many  disputes  as  to  the  common  names.  In  the 
United  States  Fish  Commission  Report  of  1895  there  is  a  "  Check 
List  "  of  the  scientific  names  in  the  above  work,  in  which  is  included 
the  common  names  of  many  of  the  fishes,  and  there  is  also  a  separate 
"  List  of  Common  names  of  fishes  occurring  in  the  Check  List. ' '  Only 
Vol.  1,  of  Bulletin  47,  had  been  printed  when  the  Report  of  1895 
was  issued,  other  volumes  being  in  manuscript.  In  the  report  of 
1899  there  is  a  "  Check  List  of  the  fishes  of  Florida,"  giving  their 
scientific  and  many  of  their  common  names. 

While  I  follow  Jordan  &  Evermann  as  to  classification  and  nomen- 
clature, I  give  priority  to  the  common  name  by  which  each  fish  is 
known  to  the  market  fishermen,  sportsmen,  and  residents  of  the  East 
Coast  of  Florida. 


12  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

After  quoting  the  scientific  names  given  by  Jordan  &  Evermann,  I 
give  the  additional  names  used  on  the  coast,  then  the  common  names 
used  by  J.  &  E. ,  and  in  my  index  place  all  of  them,  scientific  and  com- 
mon, so  that  any  reader  can  probably  find  any  fish  he  may  be  in  search 
of.  I  treat  the  game  qualities  of  the  fishes  as  I  have  found  them  during 
my  long  experience  on  the  coast,  and  as  to  their  edible  qualities  have 
done  the  same.  I  have  lived  on  the  waters  from  two  to  over  seven 
months  during  each  of  the  last  twelve  years,  and  one  year  before  ; 
have  eaten  fish  from  one  to  three  times  per  day  during  all  the  time  ; 
have  had  them  cooked  in  all  sorts  of  ways  on  boats,  and  at  hotel  by 
special  orders,  and  on  the  regular  menus,  so,  possibly,  ought  to  be 
considered  a  judge,  but  "tastes  differ,"  and  probably  many  persons 
will  not  accept  my  classification  as  to  the  edible  qualities  of  the 
fishes.     I  grade  them  as  Al,  A,  B,  and  C. 

I  have  enumerated  only  a  small  proportion  of  the  species  on  the 
coast  treated  in  Jordan  &  Evermann,  the  larger  number  of  which 
are  designated  only  by  scientific  names,  and  are  interesting  to  the 
ichthyologist  and  other  naturalists,  but  possess  no  especial  attractions 
for  the  average  angler. 

In  the  common  and  local  names  there  are  many  misnomers,  which 
is  unavoidable.  When  the  scientific  men  have  visited  the  different 
localities,  they  have  been  obliged  to  report  the  names  as  they  have 
found  them,  as  otherwise  they  could  not  designate  a  fish  so  that  it 
would  be  known  to  the  people  where  it  was  caught. 

As  many  different  fishes  are  known  by  the  same  common  name  in 
different  localities,  an  apparent  confusion  exists,  for  which  there  ap- 
pears to  be  no  remedy.  I  mention  all  the  names  as  I  find  them,  mak- 
ing such  explanation  as  I  think  necessary  in  each  case.  In  explana- 
tion of  what  some  readers  may  consider  a  great  variety  in  some  of 
the  species,  I  will  refer  to  the  "Check  List"  of  Jordan  &  Ever- 
mann, in  which  they  give,  under  heading  of  "  Pampanos  "  (in  which 
they  include  the  Cavalles,  Jacks,  Permits,  Moon-fishes,  Look-Downs, 
and  Pampanos),  sixty-five  varieties;  under  Catfishes,  102;  Sharks, 
sixty-five  ;  Rays,  thirty-one  ;  Suckers,  sixty-eight  ;  and  Carps,  254. 
The  Groupers,  Snappers,  Grunts,  and  Porgies  are  numerous.  In 
making  my  list,  I  have,  in  addition  to  Jordan  &  Evermann,  con- 
sulted the  United  States  Fish  Commission  reports  of  1895,  1896, 
1897,  1898,  and  1899,  and  its  Bulletins  of  1896,  1897,  1898;  as  also 
Jordan  &  Gilbert's  synopsis,  1882  and  1883  ;  Fishes  of  Porto  Rico, 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  13 

Barton  W.  Evermann,  1900;  American  Fishes  (Goode),  the  Cata- 
logue of  the  New  York  Aquarium,  Webster's  Dictionary,  and  the 
various  angling  works,  I  have  already  mentioned,  but,  of  course,  ac- 
cept Jordan  &  Evermann  as  the  only,  and  final,  authority. 

I  am  especially  careful  to  give  all  the  Spanish  and  French  names 
in  Jordan  &  Evermann,  because  those  names  are  the  ones  by  which 
the  fishes  were  first  known  by  civilized  people  in  this  country,  and 
many  of  them  are  singularly  appropriate,  as  they  indicate  character- 
istics and  especial  features  in  the  fishes,  which  is  not  the  case,  to  the 
same  extent,  in  the  English  names. 

Instead  of  making  my  list  run  in  alphabetical  order,  I  feel  obliged 
to  conform  to  the  method  adopted  by  Jordan  &  Evermann  and 
other  ichthyologists  in  the  United  States.  Contrary  to  the  methods 
generally  adopted  in  Europe  of  giving  precedence  to  the  higher  forms 
of  fish  life,  the  Americans  have  given  it  to  the  lowest  or  simplest 
orders,  commencing  with  the  Lancelets,  Lampreys,  then  Sharks, 
Skates,  Rays,  etc.,  and  then  coming  on  up  to  the  more  highly  organ- 
ized orders  and  species.  My  index,  however,  will  enable  the  reader 
to  find  the  fish  he  is  looking  for.  This  procedure  compels  me  to 
commence  my  list  with  nineteen  worthless  fishes,  which  do  not  make 
a  very  pleasant  introduction  to  my  readers,  who,  however,  if  they 
fish  long  on  the  coast,  especially  among  the  Keys,  will  catch  them 
all,  thus  being  compelled  to  take  the  bitter  with  the  sweet.  As  the 
technical  descriptions  are  necessarily  long,  I  give  only  such  as  I  con- 
sider of  importance,  but  give  one  or  more  in  every  family,  and  give 
illustration  of  one  or  more  in  nearly  every  family  mentioned  which 
is  illustrated  in  Jordan  &  Evermann' s  Bulletin  47. 

There  seems  to  have  been  no  generally  accepted  rule,  or  custom, 
among  the  angling  writers  as  to  whether  the  common  names  of  fishes 
should  begin  with  a  capital  letter  or  not.  The  earlier  writers  in  this 
country  seem  to  have  capitalized  quite  generally  in  their  texts,  while 
some  of  those  of  later  dates  have  abandoned  the  practice,  and  others 
have  continued  it.  Among  those  who  have  continued,  I  will  men- 
tion :  Frank  Forrester,  1859  ;  Thaddeus  Norris,  1864  ;  J.  C.  Wil- 
cocks  in  the  "Sea  Fisherman"  (English),  1884;  Rand,  McNally  & 
Co.,  1892  ;  and  G.  Brown  Goode,  who  was  "Secretary  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution  in  charge  of  the  United  States  National  Museum, 
and  Commissioner  to  the  International  Fisheries  exhibitions  in  Berlin 
and  London."    Mr.  Goode  seems  to  have  made  it  an  especial  point  to 


14  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

capitalize  the  name  of  every,  or  nearly  every,  fish  he  mentions  in 
his  "American  Fishes,"  1887.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  ichthyolo- 
gists of  the  country.  Albert  C.  L.  G.  Giinther,  M.  A.,  M.  D.,  Ph. 
D.,  F.  R.  S.,  Keeper  of  the  Zoological  Department  in  the  British 
Museum,  in  his  "Introduction  to  the  Study  of  Fishes,"  Edinburgh, 
1880,  capitalizes  every  fish  he  mentions. 

I  can  find  no  exception  in  the  book,  which  has  720  pages.  I  want 
no  better  authority  than  Doctor  Giinther  and  Doctor  Goode. 

On  the  contrary,  Genio  C.  Scott,  1869 ;  Hallock,  1873-5  ;  Hen- 
shall,  1884;    and  Eugene  McCarthy,  1900,  have  not  capitalized. 

The  scientific  people  do  not  practice  it  except  in  their  captions 
and  headings  of  lists,  indexes,  etc. ,  which  latter  practice  is,  of  course, 
customary  with  all. 

The  same  general  lack  of  uniformity  exists  regarding  the  use  of 
the  hyphen,  as  very  few  writers  use  it  alike.  I  have,  as  a  general 
rule  followed  the  scientific  people  in  its  use. 

As  I  can  see  no  sufficient  reason  why  the  capitalizing  has  been 
abandoned  by  some  of  the  modern  angling  writers,  and  because  I 
think  its  continuance  tends  to  identify,  and  make  prominent,  the  dif- 
ferent species,  I  make  free  use  of  capitals.  1  have  some  regard  and 
respect  for  the  fishes,  too,  and  think  they  are  entitled  to  have  their 
names  handed  down  in  capitals,  especially  by  the  angling  fraternity. 

I  quote  from  Jordan  &  Evermann  their  formula,  or  method,  of 
describing  the  fishes  in  their  list : 

"In  our  description  of  species,  we  have  attempted  to  bring  the 
principal  comparative  measurements  first.  The  expressions  'head  4,' 
or  'depth  4,'  mean  that  the  length  of  the  head  in  the  one  case,  or 
the  greatest  depth  of  the  body  in  the  other,  is  contained  4  times  in 
the  length  of  the  fish,  measured  from  the  tip  of  the  snout  to  the  end 
of  the  last  caudal  vertebra,  the  caudal  fin  being  not  included.  The  size 
of  the  eye  and  the  length  of  the  snout  and  other  head  parts  are  com- 
pared with  the  length  of  the  side  of  the  head,  unless  otherwise  stated  ; 
thus  '  eye  5  '  means  that  the  horizontal  diameter  of  the  eye  is  \  the 
length  of  the  head. 

' '  '  Scales  5-64-7  '  means  that  there  are  5  rows  of  scales  between 
the  base  of  the  dorsal  fin  and  the  lateral  line  (the  scale  in  the  lateral 
line  excluded),  64  oblique  transverse  series  crossing  the  lateral  line, 
and  7  horizontal  series  between  the  lateral  line  and  the  base  of  the 
anal  or  the  vent.      When  the  number  of  pores  in  the  lateral  line  is 


ON    THE   EAST   COAST   OF  FLORIDA.  15 

fewer  than  the  number  of  scales  in  it,  we  have  usually  indicated  the 
fact. 

"The  fin  formulae  are  usually  shortened  as  much  as  possible  ;  thus 
'  D.  10,'  '  D.  IV,  9,'  or  <  D.  VIII-13,'  means  that  in  the  first  case 
the  fish  has  a  single  dorsal  fin  of  10  soft  or  articulated  rays  ;  in  the 
second  case,  a  single  dorsal  fin  of  4  spines  and  9  soft  rays  ;  and  the 
last  indicates  a  fish  with  2  dorsal  fins,  the  first  composed  of  8  spines 
and  the  second  of  13  rays. 

"Spines  are  always  indicated  in  Roman  letters. 

"The  abbreviations  for  the  other  fin  formulae  are  similarly 
explained. 

"  The  measurements  given  in  the  text  are  intended  to  apply  to 
the  average  of  mature  fishes.  Young  fishes  usually  have  the  depth 
less,  the  head  and  eye  larger,  and  the  mouth  smaller  than  adult 
examples  of  the  same  species. 

"  Descriptions  not  taken  from  specimens,  or  at  least  not  verified 
by  us,  are  credited  to  the  author  from  whom  they  have  been  copied. 

"  '  Eu.'  after  the  account  of  any  species  indicates  that  it  is  found 
in  Europe. 

"  The  names  of  the  localities  from  which  the  types  of  the  species 
were  obtained  are  printed  in  antique  old  style  type  in  connection 
with  the  synonymy  of  each  species. 

"  When  the  type  specimens  are  in  the  United  States  National 
Museum,  we  have  given  the  numbers  which  they  bear  on  the  regis- 
ter of  that  institution. 

"An  atlas,  containing  anatomical  figures  and  illustrations  of  many 
of  the  more  important  species,  is  now  in  preparation  and  will  appear 
upon  the  completion  of  the  second  volume  of  the  present  work. ' ' 

I  am  afraid  the  above  will  seem  complex  and  tedious  to  some  of  my 
readers,  but  the  scientific  men  must  have  formulas  to  go  by,  and  they 
have,  of  course,  devised  as  simple  ones  as  will  meet  the  case.  It  is  a 
very  difficult  matter  to  find  language  which  will  convey  to  the  lay- 
man's, or  non-expert's,  mind  a  clear  idea  of  the  construction  of  any 
animal.  Nothing  but  an  illustration  (or  the  animal  itself)  will  con- 
vey the  information  desired,  and  in  the  case  of  fishes  one  in  colors  of 
each  fish  is  necessary.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  Audubon  will 
arise  to  illustrate  fishes  in  colors  as  well  as  the  great  man  of  that 
name  illustrated  the  "  Birds  of  America." 

I  will  give,  1st  —  The  common  names  of  the  fishes. 


16  WHERE,    WHEW   AND    HOW    TO    CATCH   FISH 

2d  — The  scientific  names. 

3d — The  numbers  of  the  illustrations  in  Jordan  & 

Evermann. 
4th — The  page  on  which  the  fishes  are  described  by 

Jordan  &  Evermann. 
5th  —  Description  of  the  fishes. 

Then  weight  of  the  fishes,  Bait,  Tackle,  method 
of  fishing,  and  edible  qualities. 
The  numbers  of  the  fishes  in  my  list  are  my  own. 


Illustration.     Page. 

i.     "SPHYRNA   TIBURO."  19  44 

Sharks  •  "  Body  rather  slender,  not  much  compressed  ;  head 

Shovel-head  ;  depressed,  simicircular  in  front ;  reniform,  the  pos- 
Bonnet-head.  terior  free  margins  short,  the  lateral  margins  continu- 
ous with  the  anterior ;  pectorals  large ;  first  dorsal  high,  midway 
between  pectorals  and  ventrals  ;  second  dorsal  much  smaller,  pro- 
duced behind,  higher  and  shorter  than  anal ;  ventral  fins  moderate  ; 
caudal  moderate  ;  mouth  small,  crescentic  ;  teeth  small,  very  oblique, 
with  a  deep  notch  on  the  outer  margin.  Head  4yi  in  length,  6 
to  tip  of  caudal ;  width  of  head  slightly  less  than  length  of  head. 
Color,  uniform  ashy,  paler  beneath.  Length,  3  to  5  feet."  Weight  to 
200  pounds.      Non-edible. 

2.     "SPHYRNA    ZYGJENA."      Not  illustrated.     45 

cHARK  .  "  Head  truly  hammer-shaped  ;  width  of  head  about  twice 

Hammer-  its  length  ;  length  of  hinder  margin  of  hammer  nearly 
headed,  equal  to  its  width  near  the  eye  ;  nostril  close  to  eye,  pro- 
longed into  a  groove  which  runs  along  nearly  the  whole  front  margin 
of  head  ;  first  dorsal  large  ;  second  quite  small,  smaller  than  anal ; 
pectoral  rather  large.  Color,  gray.  A  large  voracious  shark,  reaching 
a  length  of  15  feet  or  more."      Weight  to  200  pounds.      Non-edible. 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


17 


Mackerel 
Shark. 


Illustration.     Page. 

3-     "ISURUS    DEKAYI."  21  48 

Weight  to  400  pounds. 

Parties  wishing  to  catch  the  above  fishes,  can  use  a 
clothes  line  or  -±r>  to  Vz -inch  cotton  line,  and  Shark 
hook.  Bait  with  live  or  dead  fish,  one-half  to  two  or  three  pounds, 
or  chunk  of  meat.  Stand  on  the  shore  at  or  near  any  pass  or  inlet 
and  cast  out  the  bait.  They  will  swallow  the  bait  and  hook,  so  all 
you  have  to  do  is  to  haul  them  in  ;  or  you  can  fish  from  rowboat,  or 
sailboat,  or  launch  in  same  manner. 


«r<tfS) 


4.     "GINGLYMOSTOMA    CIRRATUM."  13  26 

Nurse  Shark         This  Shark  will  average  about  2.3  pounds. 
Gata. 


"CARCHARIAS    LITTORALIS."    Not  illustrated.  46 
Average  about  25  pounds.     Non-edible. 
The  two  last   described    Sharks   are    scarcely    ever 
fished  for  by  sportsmen,  but  take  his  bait  while  he  is  fishing  for  better 


Sand  Shark. 


18  WHERE,    WHEN,  AXD   HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

fish.  All  of  the  Sharks  are  exceedingly  troublesome  from  Mayport 
to  Key  West,  as  they  will  not  only  take  your  bait,  but  will  frequently 
take  the  fish  you  have  hooked  while  you  are  reeling  him  in  or  playing 
him.  They  are  simply  an  unmitigated  nuisance  to  any  angler  after 
he  has  caught  the  first  one  or  two  in  his  angling  experience.  Get  rid 
of  the  Sharks  as  soon  as  possible  by  getting  them  as  near  as  you  can 
to  the  boat,  or  shore,  and  cutting  the  line,  losing  as  little  as  you  can. 
They  are  especially  troublesome  while  fishing  outside  on  the 
"patches,"  or  trolling,  as  they  very  frequently  cut  off  your  fish, 
wholly,  or  in  part.  The  Shark  has  fine  game  qualities,  and  affords 
sport  to  those  who  desire  to  fish  for  them,  but  usually  sportsmen  are 
satisfied  with  a  few.      Non-edible. 

I  have  often  heard  it  said  in  Florida  that  "a  cat  has  nine  lives, 
and  that  a  shark  and  an  alligator  has  each  ten,"  and  it  almost  seems 
true  in  some  cases. 

There  are  many  stories  told  of  Sharks  coming  to  life  or  reviving, 
after  apparently  being  killed,  some  of  which  are  true,  and  many 
slightly  exaggerated. 

One  of  the  best  of  the  latter  kind  was  told  by  Mr.  Saury  of  Nash- 
ville. A  lot  of  us  anglers  were  at  the  Detroit  Hotel,  St.  Petersburgh, 
seven  or  eight  years  ago,  and  several  big  fish  stories  were  told,  some 
of  them  about  Sharks.      Finally,  Saury's  turn  came. 

He  said  he  was  out  on  the  main  shore  off  Clear  Water  Harbor 
with  some  other  gentlemen,  sharking.  Finally,  they  hauled  in  a  very 
large  one,  nine  or  ten  feet  long.  Some  one  suggested  that  they 
experiment  with  him  and  see  if  the  huge  stories  told  about  their  com- 
ing to  life  were  true.  So  they  opened  up  the  Shark  and  scattered  his 
'.'  innards  "  around  on  the  beach  within  a  space  of  ten  feet  or  so,  and 
then  went  off  some  distance  to  eat  their  lunch.  In  a  short  time 
they  heard  a  commotion  on  the  beach,  and  all  stepped  down  to  see 
what  was  going  on.  The  Shark  had  revived  and  was  in  the  act  of 
swallowing  some  of  his  "innards,"  and  they  stayed  there  until  he 
had  swallowed  all  there  was  of  them  and  swam  off  all  O.  K. 

As  the  reader  probably  knows,  some  four  or  five  years  ago  there 
was  quite  a  controversy  in  the  press,  and  among  anglers,  as  to  whether 
or  not  a  Shark  would  attack  a  live  man  in  the  water.  A  New  York 
gentleman,  according  to  my  recollection,  offered  a  reward  of  a  thou- 
sand dollars  for  a  well  authenticated  instance  of  a  Shark  attacking  a 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  19 

man,  and  the  reward  was  never  claimed.  I  forget  whether  he  con- 
fined his  offer  to  the  vicinity  of  New  York  and  the  Jersey  coast,  or 
included  the  coast  farther  south,  but  think  he  covered  the  entire 
eastern  coast  in  his  offer.  Now,  I  know  of  two  instances  where  Sharks 
have  evidently  eaten  the  arms  and  legs  off  a  man,  but  it  cannot  be 
proven  in  either  case  that  the  men  were  alive.  The  first  instance 
was  a  canoeist  who  attempted  to  cross  Mosquito  Inlet  one  evening  just 
before  dark  with  the  ebb  tide  running  full  force.  He  was  carried  out 
and  capsized,  two  or  three  people  at  Ponce  Park  witnessing  the  perform- 
ance. His  body  was  found  two  or  three  days  afterwards  with  nearly 
all  the  limbs  eaten  off,  surely  by  Sharks,  for  there  are  no  other  fishes 
there  to  do  it.  The  mail  carrier  between  Lake  Worth  and  Biscayne  Bay, 
up  to  seven  or  eight  years  ago,  carried  the  mail  by  walking  on  the 
beach,  crossing  Hillsboro  and  New  River  inlets  in  boats,  which  he  kept 
for  that  purpose.  One  trip  he  "  turned  up  missing,"  and  was  searched 
for.      His  body  was  found  with  the  limbs  wholly  or  partly  eaten  off. 

No  one  will  ever  know  whether,  in  either  or  both  cases,  the 
Sharks  attacked  them  in  the  water,  or  eat  them  after  death. 

While  at  Indian  Key  some  three  years  ago  we  were  told  that  a 
man,  a  few  days  before  our  arrival,  while  groping  around  a  small 
wreck  in  the  channel  in  about  four  feet  water,  after  Crawfish,  was 
attacked  by  a  Shark  about  five  feet  long  and  bitten  badly  in  the  leg. 
He  had  to  go  to  Key  West  for  surgical  and  medical  treatment.  This 
seems  to  be  an  authentic  case.  I  believed  the  story  because  it  was  of 
very  recent  date,  told  in  apparently  the  utmost  candor  simply  as  a 
piece  of  news,  and  without  any  motive  to  tell  an  untruth. 

During  the  summer  of  1901,  Michael  O'Brien,  a  resident  of  Wood- 
ley,  near  Indian  River  Narrows,  while  bathing  in  the  surf,  a  few 
miles  north  of  Indian  River  Inlet,  was  attacked  by  a  large  Shark  which 
came  between  him  and  the  shore  and  bit  him  badly  on  his  side  near 
his  stomach  or  bowels,  the  wound  being  a  very  dangerous  one. 

He  was  taken  to  Fort  Pierce  and  carried  on  a  stretcher  to  Doctor 
C.  P.  Piatt,  under  whose  care  he  recovered.  The  above  was  told  to 
me  by  Mr.  R.  C.  Somerlin  of  Saint  Lucie,  whom  I  know  to  be  per- 
fectly reliable,  and  the  incident  is  well  known  to  the  residents  of 
Fort  Pierce  and  Saint  Lucie. 

Here  is  a  well  authenticated  case  of  a  Shark  attacking  a  live  man, 
one  where  the  attacked  party,  and  many  witnesses,  are  alive  and  can 
be  called  upon  to  substantiate  the  facts  in  the  case. 


20  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

I  trust  my  readers  will  not  think  I  have  devoted  too  much  time 
and  space  to  the  Shark  subject,  if  they  do,  my  excuse  is,  that  the  mat- 
ter has  been  much  debated  among  anglers,  and  L  have  endeavored  to 
throw  as  much  light  on  it  as  possible. 

I  conclude  that  I,  for  one,  am  perfectly  satisfied  that  many  Sharks 
have  attacked  many  live  men. 

Since  writing  the  above  my  attention  has  been  called  to  an  article 
in  the  Cliarleston  News  and  Courier  of  August  29,  1901,  on  the  man- 
eating  Shark  subject,  which  I  herewith  quote. 

I  am  of  the  opinion,  however,  that  a  mistake  is  made  in  the 
account  of  the  Florida  mail  carrier's  death.  I  was  at  Lake  Worth  at 
the  time  the  news  came  there,  which  was,  that  the  carrier  not  arriving 
on  time,  some  people  went  out  to  look  for  him,  and  found  his  remains 
at  the  inlet  with  the  head  and  limbs  bitten  off. 

"  It  is  a  much  mooted  question  as  to  whether  or  not  there  are 
man-eating  sharks  in  the  South  Atlantic  Ocean.  It  is  generally  con- 
ceded that  the  shark  will  devour  the  dead  body  of  a  human  being, 
but  it  has  never  been  thoroughly  and  satisfactorily  established  that  a 
live  person  is  liable  to  attack.  The  Rev.  W.  B.  Yates,  who,  for 
more  than  forty  years,  was  a  sailor's  chaplain  in  this  city,  and  who  in 
his  youth  had  spent  some  years  at  sea,  maintained  that  there  were  no 
authentic  instances  of  a  man  being  eaten  by  a  shark.  The  waters  of 
the  Charleston  harbor  and  the  coast  of  South  Carolina  were  as  an 
open  book  to  him,  and  he  went  to  his  grave  believing  that  sharks,  in 
this  section,  at  least,  were  perfectly  harmless. 

"Captain  William  C.  Ferguson,  of  No.  10  Pinckney  Street,  yes- 
terday, in  speaking  to  a  reporter  for  The  News  and  Courier,  gave  out 
some  facts  and  figures  to  prove  that  there  are  man-eating  sharks  and 
that  many  unfortunate  persons  have  been  killed  and  devoured  by 
these  sea  monsters.  Captain  Ferguson  has  collected  some  data  relat- 
ing to  the  question  and  arranged  his  facts  in  a  chronological  order. 
He  says  : 

"  '  In  Charleston  harbor,  about  1840,  as  near  as  I  can  recall,  one 
of  the  crew  of  a  pilot  boat  was  accidently  thrown  overboard.  The 
boat  was  lowering  her  sails  and  coming  up  to  her  wharf  at  the  time. 
The  two  men  pulling  a  skiff  to  his  rescue  were  passed  by  a  large 
shark,  which  took  the  man  under,  and  he  was  not  seen  again.  The 
morning  paper  noted  that  the  man  was  treading  water  lightly  with  his 
chest  out.      The  shark  was  said  to  be  twenty -five  feet  long. 


ON   THE  EAST  C0AS7    OF  FLORIDA.  21 

"'A  large  shark  caught  with  hook  and  line  on  Southern  wharf 
had  in  it  a  part  of  a  white  man's  body  with  a  portion  of  his  sailor's 
clothes  about  it.  This,  too,  was  said  to  be  a  twenty-five  foot  shark. 
The  date  of  this,  as  near  as  I  can  remember,  was  1837. 

"  '  In  the  year  1852  Charles  Chambers  and  friend  were  capsized 
near  Mount  Pleasant.  Each  took  an  oar  and  was  wading  ashore, 
when  the  friend  looked  back  and  saw  Charlie  fighting  off  a  shark. 
Charlie  was  pulled  under  and  lost  to  sight  forever. 

"  '  In  1853  or  '54  a  young  man  was  capsized  off  the  Battery  ;  he 
disappeared.  His  gold  watch  was  afterwards  found  in  a  shark. 
About  1883  a  Charleston  man's  body  was  recovered  in  Bull's  Bay, 
from  which  an  arm  had  been  bitten  off  by  a  shark. 

"  '  In  1883,  or  near  it,  an  old  negro  fishing  near  Castle  Pinckney 
was  annoyed  by  a  shark,  which  pulled  the  fish  off  his  hook.  The 
shark  finally  made  a  deep  dive,  but  before  the  man  could  thank  his 
lucky  star  the  shark  reappeared  in  a  grand  leap  over  the  boat, 
fortunately  without  touching  the  fisherman.  The  old  fellow  having 
no  taste  for  a  mix-up  of  circus  and  tragedy  went  home  to  his  dinner. 

"  '  In  1847  I  was  in  the  act  of  taking  a  front  seat  on  what  is  now 
the  Clyde  Line  wharf,  when  a  streak  flashed  along  the  water  near  the 
wharf  and  out  in  the  stream.  The  wharf  is  higher  out  of  water  now 
than  it  was  then.  Suddenly  the  streak  flashed  in  sight  as  from  a  long 
turn,  far  out  in  the  stream.  It  came  swift  and  straight  to  the  wharf,  and 
two  large  sharks  appeared  side  by  side,  as  though  on  a  trial  of  speed. 
They  curved  in  front  of  me,  within  three  feet  of  the  wharf  and  two 
feet  of  the  surface,  and  out  in  the  stream  again.  They  turned  this 
time  nearer  and  shorter,  and  were  back  to  the  wharf  frightfully  quick. 
Speeding  side  by  side  they  dashed  close  up  to  the  wharf,  and  on  the 
surface  of  the  water.  It  was  all  interesting.  The  last  dash  was  a 
grand  display.  I  saw  it  by  leaning  forward  and  looking  over  the 
edge  of  the  wharf.  The  egg-shaped  ring  performance  stopped 
abruptly,  when  quick  to  the  front  they  gave  a  fine  show  of  graceful 
movements  on  the  water,  followed  by  a  sea-raising  demonstration. 
Then,  seeming  to  have  lost  all  interest  in  me,  they  retired  behind 
the  sea  scene  they  had  raised. 

"  '  That  summer,  or  one  within  a  year  or  two  of  it,  a  person's  hand 
at  the  side  of  a  boat  was  bitten  off  by  a  shark.  A  young  sailor  swam 
across  to  Castle  Pinckney  and  back  again  to  the  wharf.  He  said  he 
had  no  fear  of  sharks  ;    that  no  shark  could  ever  get  sight  or  scent  of 


22  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

him.  He  had  all  to  learn  about  sharks.  While  swimming  along  he 
suddenly  disappeared. 

"  *  In  or  about  1883  a  steamboat  on  the  coast  of  South  Carolina 
sighted  a  balloon  descending.  It  failed  to  land  and  came  across  the 
beach,  dragging  the  balloonist  over  the  water.  A  school  of  sharks, 
with  a  great  splashing,  leaped  out  of  the  water  and  caught  the 
aeronaut. 

"  '  In  1895  a  Florida  mail  carrier  was  crossing  an  inlet  in  a  boat. 
He  was  seen  fighting  sharks  with  his  oar.  The  sharks  pulled  his  boat 
to  pieces  and  the  man  disappeared. 

" '  It  was  about  1853  that  Capt.  George  Jacob  Hanscheldt,  who 
was  born  and  raised  in  Charleston,  chanced  to  be  knocked  overboard 
near  Fernandina  bar.  A  large  shark,  seen  at  the  side,  had  now  dis- 
appeared and  all  to  be  seen  of  the  captain  was  a  bloody  streak  in  the 
water.  The  skipper  had  dressed  to  go  ashore  to  call  on  his  sister, 
who  was  on  a  visit  to  Fernandina  from  Charleston.  Captain  Han- 
scheld  had  just  said,  looking  at  the  shark,  '  I  hope  it  is  not  me  you  are 
waiting  for,  old  boy.' 

"  '  A  boy  was  badly  lacerated  by  a  shark  in  a  creek  near  Jackson- 
ville in  1898  or  1899.  Many  newspaper  articles  discussed  the  ques- 
tion as  to  whether  it  was  a  shark  or  an  alligator.  '  Old  Sea  Captain,' 
in  a  Florida  paper,  had  the  last  say.  His  experience  of  many-years 
taught  him  to  know  that  a  shark  would  not  eat  a  man.  Such  ignor- 
ance may  lead  many  venturesome  swimmers  to  a  horrible  death. 

"  '  In  1899  two  Jacksonville  pilots  had  a  frightful  experience  with 
sharks.  The  pilots  were  pulling  ashore  on  the  St.  Johns.  The  sharks 
plunged  about  and  under  the  boat,  biting  and  pulling  at  the  oars, 
and  there  was  great  danger  of  the  boat  being  swamped  or  turned  over. 

"  'In  1896,  three  men  swimming  ashore  from  a  filibuster  were 
met  by  a  shark,  which  passed  the  first  man  and  took  the  second  one. 
A  ship's  crew  in  the  water  near  their  vessel  in  the  Mediterranean  had 
a  shark  come  among  them  and  take  the  carpenter,  who  was  the  center 
man  of  the  group. 

"  '  The  above  are  only  a  few  examples.  I  hardly  think  there  is 
room  for  doubt  on  the  subject. '  ' ' 


ON   THE  EAST  CO  A  SI    OF  FLORIDA. 


23 


5- 


Illustration. 

24         24a 


Page. 

54 


"SQUALUS   ACANTHIAS." 

Weight  to  30  pounds. 

This  fish,  like  the  Sharks,  may  take  your  bait 
while  fishing  for  better  fish,  and  is  to  be  treated 
the  same  as  the  Sharks.  There  are  several  species, 
none  of  which  are  worthy  of  the  angler's  attention.      Non-edible. 


Dogfish  ; 
Picked  Dogfish  ; 
Bonedog ; 
Skittle-dog. 


6.     "PRISTIS    PECTINATUS."  27  60 

Sawfish,  Common  ;  "First    dorsal    over    ventrals  ;    second   dorsal 

Pez  Sierra  ;  scarcely  smaller  than  first ;  no  lower  caudal  lobe. 

Pez  de  Espada.  gaw  with  24  to  32  pairs  of  teeth,  the  posterior 
farther  apart  than  the  anterior. "  Length,  1  to  20  feet.  Weight  to 
800  pounds  and  over. 

A  large  worthless  fish.  Caught  with  a  large  hook  and  fish  bait ; 
clothes  line.  "One  in  a  life  time,"  as  a  curiosity,  will  usually 
satisfy  the  angler.      Non-edible. 


24  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 


Illustration.     Pa?e. 

7.     "RAJA  ERINACEA."  29  68 

Skate-  "Form  rhomboid,  with  all  the  angles  rounded; 

Common  Skate  ;  spines  largest  on  the  anterior  extensions  of  the  pec- 
Little  Skate  ;  torals,  where  they  are  close  set,  strong,  laterally 
Tobacco  Box.  compressed,  and  hooked  backward ;  smaller  ones 
are  scattered  over  the  head  above  the  spiracles,  above  and  in  front  of 
the  eyes,  and  on  the  back,  the  median  line  of  which  is  comparatively 
smooth,  without  larger  median  series,  except  in  the  young ;  a  tri- 
angular patch  on  the  shoulder  girdle ;  inner  posterior  angles  of  the 
pectorals  nearly  smooth  ;  in  the  males  near  the  exterior  angles  of  the 
pectorals  are  two  rows  of  large  erectile  hooks,  pointing  backward. 
Females  with  groups  of  small  scales  on  each  side  of  the  vent ;  teeth 
small,  the  middle  ones  sharp  in  the  males  ;  all  blunt  in  the  females  ; 
jaws  much  curved  ;  each  side  of  tail  with  dermal  fold  ;  caudal  fins 
rough,  not  separate  to  the  base.  Color  light  brown,  with  small  round 
spots  of  dark  brown  ;  no  pectoral  ocelli  ;  females  larger  than  the 
males.     Length,  1  to  2  feet."      Weight  to  25  pounds. 

Usually  caught  while  fishing  for  better  fish.      Non-edible. 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  25 


! 


Illustration.     Page. 

8.     "DASYATIS   SAY."  36  86 

ray;  "  Disk  quadrangular,  one-sixth  wider  than 

Sting  Ray  ;  long  ;  anterior  margins  nearly  straight ;  pos- 

Southern  Sting  Ray  ;     iex\ox  an(j  inner  borders    convex  ;  outer  and 

Sting  aree.  .  ,  ,    ,  ,      , 

posterior  angles  rounded ;  snout  not  protrud- 
ing beyond  the  lines  of  the  margins ;  ventrals  rounded  j  tail 
strong,  rather  more  than  lj4  times  the  length  of  the  disk,  with 
a  strong  serrated  spine,  bearing  a  short,  low,  cutaneous  expansion  be- 
hind the  spine  on  the  upper  side,  and  a  longer,  little  wider  one  below, 
ending  nearly  opposite  ;  upper  jaw  undulated  ;  lower  prominent  in 
the  middle ;  teeth  small,  smooth  in  young  and  females,  sharp  in 
adult  males ;  3  papillae  at  the  bottom  of  the  mouth,  and  1  at 
each  side ;  body  and  tail  smooth.  Color  olive  brown  in  adult,  red- 
dish or  yellowish  in  young  ;  lower  surface  whitish.  Closely  resem- 
bles the  European  species,  D.  pastinaca.  In  D.  say,  the  anterior 
margins  form  a  more  blunt  angle  at  the  end  of  the  snout,  which  is 
less  prominent  at  the  apex,  the  outer  and  posterior  extremities  of  the 
pectorals  are  rounder,  the  posterior  margins  are  more  convex,  the 
disk  is  broader  toward  the  ventrals,  and  the  tail  is  longer  ;  in  D. 
pastinaca,  the  lateral  and  hinder  angles  of  the  pectorals  and  the 
lateral  angle  of  the  ventrals  are  marked  by  blunted  corners  ;  a  single 


26 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


small  rounded    tubercle  on  the  middle  of  the    back."     Weight    to 
400  pounds. 

Caught  same  as  the  Skates.  Get  rid  of  him  as  soon  as  possible 
by  cutting  the  line.  Be  careful,  as  the  stinger  on  his  tail  makes  a 
bad  sore  if  he  hits  you  with  it.      Non-edible. 


M 


-St* 


-v-° 


w 


Illustration.     Page. 

9.     "AETOBATUS    NARINARI."        37        37a        88 

Whip-Tailed  Ray  ;  "Disk  twice  as  broad  as  long,  its  anterior 

Clam  Cracker  ;  borders    a    little    convex,    posterior    concave, 

Spotted  Sting  Ray.      Quter    angles   pointed>       Cephalic  fin  about    }§ 

broader  than  long.      Teeth  of  the  lower  jaw  straight  or  more  or  less 


ON   THE  EAS7    COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  27 

angularly  bent.     Tail   3   to  4  times  length    of  disk.     Brown  with 
small  round  pale  spots.      (Dumeril.)"     Weight  to  600  pounds. 

Very   seldom    caught  with    rod   and  reel.     The  Rays  are   often 
grained  (speared)  by  the  guides  on  Biscayne  Bay.     Non-edible. 


Illustration.     Page. 

io.     "LEPISOSTEUS   TRISTCECHUS."        50  111 

Gar  (fresh  water)  ;  "  Snout  usually  not   ^uite  SO   lonS  aS  the  rest 

Great  Gar;  of  the  head,  its  least  width  contained  S}4  times 

Manjuari  ;  in  its  length.      Head  3^  in  length.     D.  8  ;    A. 

Alligator  Gar  ;  8  ;  V.  6.  Lat  line  60.  Scales  in  an  oblique 
series  from  the  ventrals  to  middle  of  back  18  to 
20.  Color  greenish,  paler  below,  the  adult  usually  not  spotted. 
Length,  8  to  10  feet."  Weight  to  50  pounds;  average,  5  to  10 
pounds. 

Caught  still  fishing,  with  or  without  sinker,  rod  and  reel,  4$  to 
6$  hook,  18  or  21  line,  live  or  dead  Minnow,  or  small  Bream  ;  or 
trolling  with  hand  line  ;  or  with  rod  and  reel,  with  Minnow,  cut  bait, 
spoon  or  phantom.      Non-edible. 


ii.     "LEPISOSTEUS   PLATOSTOMUS."        49  110 

Gar  Weight  to  25  pounds. 

Short-nosed.  Caught  by  same   method  and  tackle  as  Alligator 

Gar.     Non-edible. 


28 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


12.     "GALEICHTHYS  OR    HEXANEMATICHTHYS   FELIS." 


Illustration. 

53 


Page. 
128 


Sea  Catfish;  "Head  3^;  depth  5.     D.   I,  7 ;    P.    I,  6  ;  A. 

Common  Sea  Cat  ;  ig.  Body  rather  elongate,  not  compressed,  tap- 
Florida  Cat.  ering  into  the  slender  tail ;    head  subconic,  de- 

pressed, flattish  above  ;  maxillary  barbel  nearly  as  long  as  the  head ; 
gill  membranes  broadly  united,  forming  a  narrow,  free  fold  across  the 
isthmus ;  occipital  process  with  a  median  keel,  long,  about  j4 
head,  its  tip  convex ;  fontanelle,  forming  a  narrow  groove  ;  top  of 
head  comparatively  smooth  ;  humeral  process  nearly  j4  the  length 
of  the  pectoral  spine ;  caudal  deeply  forked,  the  upper  lobe  the 
longer.  Steel  blue,  sides  and  belly  silvery,  lower  fins  pale.  Length, 
24  inches. ' '     Weight  to  3  pounds  ;    average  about  1  y2  pounds. 

This  fish  will,  unfortunately  for  himself  and  for  you,  take  any  kind 
of  bait  you  are  using  for  better  fish,  while  still  fishing  in  his  habitat,  but 
will  not  usually  take  a  troll.      Non-edible  ;  generally  so  considered. 


ON    THE   EAST   COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


29 


Illustration.     Page. 

13.     "FELICHTHYS    MARINUS."  52  118 

"  Head  rather  short  and  broad,  rounded  anteriorly  ; 
Gaff  Topsail  , 

Cat  occipital  buckler  small,  oblong,  not  much  broader  be- 

fore than  behind  ;  band  of  palatine  teeth  nearly  con- 
tinuous, extremely  variable  ;  maxillary  barbels  extending  about  to 
the  end  of  the  pectoral  spine  ;  pectoral  spine  longer  than  the  dorsal 
spine,  2/z  the  length  of  the  head,  its  filament  reaching  the  vent  ; 
dorsal  filament  reaching  adipose  fin  ;  upper  lobe  of  caudal  much 
the  longer;  anal  fin  falcate.  Dusky  bluish,  silvery  below.  Head 
4#.  D.  I,  7;  A.  23.  P.  I,  12;  B.  6.  Vert.  20  +  30."  Weight 
to  10  pounds ;  average,  3  to  4  pounds. 
Cat.     Non-edible. 


Caught  same  as  Common  Sea 


14.     "LEPTOCEPHALUS   CONGER."  148  S'A 

Weight  3  to  8  pounds. 

The  Conger  Eels,   Snake  Eels,  and   Morays  are  all 
very  undesirable  customers.     They  will  occasionally  take  any   bait 


Conger  Eel. 


30 


WHERE,    WHEN,    AND   HOW    TO    CATCH  FISH 


you  may  be  fishing  with  for  better  fish  south  of  Indian  River  Inlet,  but 
mostly  among  the  Keys.  When  unfortunate  enough  to  hook  one,  cut 
the  line  a  foot  or  so  above  him  and  let  him  go.      Non-edible. 


Snake  Eel. 


Illustration.     Page. 

15.     "VERMA    KENDALLI."  159     159a       375 


Worm  Eel. 


16. 


AHLIA    EGMONTIS." 


158        370 


^■*p^T;\ ''" 


.--;' 
^ 


' 


:.i 

1 


.     .-■  • 


Moray,  Spotted;    17.     "  LYCODONTIS    MORINGA."  171        395 

Hamlet. 


18.     "  LYCODONTIS   FUNEBRIS."  No  illustration.     396 

Moray  Black-  "  Tail  a  little  longer  than  head  and  trunk.     Teeth 

Morena  Verde,  uniserial  in  the  jaws  in  the  adults  ;  teeth  on  vomer 
uniserial  (var.  ?  erebus),  or  biserial  (funebris);  long, 
depressible  canines  on  front  of  vomer;  eye  2  to  2fe  in  snout,  above 
middle  of  gape  ;  cleft  of  mouth  2^  in  head  ;  head  2}£  in  trunk. 
Color,  dark  olive  brown,  nearly  plain,  paler  on  throat,  sometimes 
with  very  faint  darker  marblings  ;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  with  dark 
lines  running  longitudinally  ;  belly  without  black  transverse  lines. 
Jaws  not  completely  closing.  The  largest  of  our  eels,  reaching  5  or 
6  feet  or  more  ;  extremely  ferocious. ' ' 

These  last  four  species  to  be  treated  the  same  as  the  Conger  Eel. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


31 


■    't  •'  '        '       f 


Illustration.     Page. 


177 


409 


Tarpon,  or 
Tarpum  ; 
Silver  King  ; 
Grande  Ecaille 
Silver  Fish  ; 
Sabalo  ; 
Savanilla ; 
Savalle. 


19.     "TARPON    ATLANTICUS." 

"  Head,  4  ;  depth,  3| ;  D.  12  ;  A.  20 ;  lateral 
line,  42  ;  branchiostegals,  23.  Body  elongate, 
compressed,  little  elevated  ;  dorsal  filament  longer 
than  head;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary  extending 
beyond  eye.  Uniform  bright  silvery,  the  back 
darker.  Length  6  feet.  Noted  for  the  great  size 
of  its  scales,  which  are  used  in  ornamental  work. 
It  is  not  much  valued  for  food,  although  much  appreciated  by  anglers. 
'  An  immense  and  active  fish,  preying  eagerly  on  schools  of  small 
fry,  in  pursuit  of  which  it  ascends  fresh-water  rivers  quite  a  long  dis- 
tance.' (Stearns.)  It  is  often  dangerous  to  seine  fishermen,  leaping 
over  or  through  the  nets  with  great  force."     Weight  to  213  pounds. 

The  first  Tarpon  caught  in  Florida  with  Rod  and  Reel  was  taken 
by  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Jones  of  Philadelphia,  at  Indian  River  Inlet, 
Captain  Gardner  being  his  boatman.  It  was  taken  on  a  large  Buel 
Spoon,  and  weighed  172*4  pounds,  and  was  7  feet  4  inches  long. 
Very  many  more  were  caught  there  afterwards,  by  Senator  Quay,  Mr. 
George  of  Danbury,  Conn.,  and  other  sportsmen,  and  nearly  all 
were  caught  with  a  600-feet  Cod  Line,  used  as  a  hand  line  and  at  night. 
Afterward  Charlotte  Harbor  on  the  West  Coast  became  the  principal 
resort  for  Tarpon  sportsmen,  and  somewhat  later  Fort  Meyers, 
eighteen  miles  up  the  Caloosa  River,  became  the  leading  resort.  Dur- 
ing the  past  two  or  three  years  Boca  Grand  and  Captiva  passes  (Char- 
lotte Harbor)  are  much  frequented.  Mr.  W.  H.  Wood  of  New  York 
was  the  leading  sportsman  to  introduce  the  sport  on  the  West  Coast. 
On  the  West  Coast  the  fish  was  first  caught  with  Rod  and  Reel, 
18  to  21   Hall  Line,  Tarpon  Hook,  with  curtain  cord,  hard-twisted 


32  WHERE,    WHEN,   AND   HOW    TO   CATCH  FISH 

linen,  or  rawhide  snoods.  Bait,  Mullet  of  ^  to  y2  pound,  with 
head  and  tail  cut  off.  Still  fishing  on  bottom.  Boat  anchored,  bait 
cast  out  50  to  100  feet,  then  wait,  leaving  the  reel  loose.  When 
the  fish  takes  the  bait  allow  him  to  run  a  few  feet,  then  strike.  If  he 
is  hooked  he  will  almost  instantly  jump  out  of  water,  sometimes 
where  you  would  least  expect  him.  Recover  the  line,  and  the  fun 
commences.  He  will  jump  many  times,  then  run  long  or  short  dis- 
tances, with  occasional  less  vigorous  leaps,  until  he  surrenders.  The 
time  varies  from  fifteen  minutes  to  an  hour  or  more,  according  to  the 
size  and  condition  of  the  fish,  and  the  skill  of  the  sportsman,  or  his 
desire  to  kill  the  fish  quickly  or  take  his  time.  The  method  at  pres- 
ent with  many  sportsmen  is  to  fish  in  the  passes,  on  the  tides,  with 
live  floating  Mullet,  which  is  by  far  the  most  scientific  method,  and 
gives  the  fish  a  better  chance  for  his  life.  Weight  to  213  pounds. 
Mr.  George  holds  the  record  for  weight,  as  he  caught  one  of  the 
above  weight  the  present  season  (1901).  Non-edible,  or  barely  edi- 
ble for  5  to  10  pound  fish. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


33 


-% 


bonefish  ; 
Bony-fish  ; 
Ten  Pounder ; 
John-Mariggle  ; 
Big  Eyed  Herring 
Matajuelo  Real  ; 
Lisa  Francesa. 


Illustration.     Page. 

21.     "  ELOPS   SAURUS."  179  411 

"Head,  3%  ;  depth,  4.  D.  15;  A.  8  ;  scales, 
9-71-7.  Upper  lobe  of  caudal  the  longer.  A 
broad  band  of  peculiar,  elongate,  membrana- 
ceous scales  along  middle  line  of  back  ;  acces- 
sory ventral  scale  large.  Brilliantly  silvery ; 
olivaceous  above ;  back  and  sides  with  faint 
streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales  ;  fins  plain  ; 
axils  dusky.  Length  18  inches  to  3  feet."  Weight  to  10  pounds; 
average  about  4*4  pounds. 

Caught,  preferably,  on  banks  or  bars  where  there  are  short  weeds, 
or  in  some  cases  near  passes  and  sand  bars,  near  shores,  and  in  shal- 
low bays.  This  fish  runs  onto  the  shallow  water  to  feed,  with  the 
tide,  and  off  with  the  tide.  Caught  still  fishing  on  bottom.  Rod 
and  Reel,  No.  6  or  9  Line,  3$  or  4f0  hook,  strong  gut  leader  12  to  18 
inches,  No.  6,  7  or  8  Egg  Sinker.  He  is  a  Mollusca  and  Crustacas 
eater,  and  was  first  caught  for  sport  with  sand  fleas  and  Fiddler  Crabs  ; 
but  at  present  the  Soldier  or  Hermit  Crab  is  mostly  used,  although  the 
Sand  Crab,  or  "Sprite,"  is  a  good  bait.  Commence  to  fish  with  the 
rise  of  the  tide,  fasten  the  boat  with  an  oar  pushed  into  the  sand, 
cast  as  far  as  possible,  sit  still,  and  wait  for  a  bite.  The  fish  can  usu- 
ally be  seen,  when  present,  as  their  tails  and  dorsal  fins  stick  out  of 
water  until  the  tide  is  too  high  to  show.  They  wander  over  the 
banks  like  a  drove  of  cattle  feeding,  and  may  or  may  not  come  along 
where  your  bait  is.  If  they  see  it,  some  one  of  them  will  make  a 
rush  for  it,  and  the  fun  begins.  They  have  a  long  majestic  run  ;  as 
they  cannot  go  down  they  make  it  up  in  horizontal  distance,  often 
200  to  300  feet  from  the  boat.      Play  the  fish  until  he  surrenders, 


34 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 


which  will  be  from  ten  to  twenty  minutes.  He  will  come  alongside 
entirely  played  out,  if  time  enough  is  allowed.  They  can  also  be 
caught,  with  same  tackle  and  bait,  in  the  deeper  water  around  the 
banks  while  running  on  or  off,  and  especially  where  the  banks  are 
near  a  pass,  as  at  Norris  Cut,  Bears  Cut,  Soldier  Key,  and  many 
places  among  the  Keys.  They  have  no  superior  as  game  fish. 
Edible,  B. 


A  ■■'■■ 


Illustration. 

178 


Page. 

410 


Lady-fish  ; 
Bonefish  ; 
Bony-fish  ; 
Banana-fish 
Skip  Jack  ; 
Macabi. 


22.  "ALBULA  VULPES." 
"  Head,  4%  ;  depth,  5  to  6;  eye  large ;  4  to  5. 
D.  20;  A.  13;  V.  15;  B.  30;  scales,  12-120-13. 
Gular  plate  3  to  4  times  as  long  as  broad.  Length 
3  feet."  Weight  to  10  pounds;  average,  3  to  4 
pounds. 

Caught  with  Rod  and  Reel,  still  bottom  or  floating  ; 
18  Line  4<fc  or  5$  hook.  Trolling,  Spoon,  Phantom,  cut  bait. 
Inside  and  outside  one  of  the  gamest  fish  that  swims  when  taken  with 
rod  and  reel.  When  hooked  they  will  make  many  rapid  jumps,  and 
seemingly  are  on  both  sides  of  the  boat  at  the  same  time.  I  have 
had  several  land  in  my  boat  while  jumping.  In  spring  of  1900,  two 
such  instances  at  Jupiter  Inlet.       Barely  edible,  C.      Many  fine  bones. 


Alewife; 
Branch  Herring  ; 
Gaspereau  ; 
Wall-eyed  Herring 
Big-eyed  Herring  ; 
Ellwife. 


23.     "POMOLOBUS    PSEUDOHARENGUS."  189  426 

"  Head,  4fi  ;  depth,  Sy3  ;  eye,  Z%;  D. 
16  ;  A.  19  ;  lateral  line,  50;  scutes,  21  +  14. 
Body  rather  deep  and  compressed,  heavy 
forward  ;  head  short,  nearly  as  deep  as  long, 
the  profile    somewhat    steep  and   slightly  de- 


pressed above  the  nostrils ;  maxillary  extend- 
ing to  posterior  margin  of  pupil  ;    lower  jaw  somewhat  projecting  ; 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  35 

upper  jaw  emarginate ;  eye  large,  slightly  longer  than  snout ;  gill- 
rakers  long,  30  to  40  below  the  angle  of  the  arch,  shorter  and 
stouter  than  in  A.  sapidissima ;  lower  lobe  of  caudal  the  longer; 
dorsal  fin  high,  a  little  higher  than  long,  its  height  Qj4  in  length  of 
body.  Bluish  above  ;  sides  silvery  ;  indistinct  dark  stripes  along  the 
rows  of  scales  ;  a  blackish  spot  behind  opercle  ;  peritoneum  pale." 

A  small  fish  or  Minnow  caught   in   cast  nets,  and  used  as  bait. 
Indian  River. 


■ 


«      i) 


Illustration.     Page. 

24.     "ALOSA   SAPIDISSIMA."  191  427 

Shad;  "Head,  4^;  depth,   3.     D.   15;  A.   21; 

Common  Shad;  lateral  line,  60;  ventral  scutes,  21  +  16.     Body 

American  Shad  ;  comparatively  deep  ;     mouth  rather  large,   the 

North  River  Shad  ;  ,       .           1*1.1            c±z        •   *              <.  1. 

t,              _,  laws  about  equal,  the  lower  fitting  into  a  notch 

Potomac  Shad.  j                        *       '                               fe 

in  the  tip  of  the  upper ;  no  teeth  ;  preorbital 
moderate  ;  cheeks  much  deeper  than  long,  the  preopercle  extending 
little  forward,  joining  the  mandible  at  a  point  rather  behind  the  eye ; 
gill  rakers  extremely  long  and  slender,  much  longer  than  eye,  about 
60  below  the  angle  of  the  arch,  the  number  smaller  in  specimens 
from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  which  perhaps  represent  a  tangible  variety ; 
fins  small,  dorsal  much  nearer  snout  than  base  of  caudal ;  perito- 
neum white.  Bluish  above  ;  sides  white  and  silvery ;  a  dark  spot 
behind  opercle,  and  sometimes  several  along  the  line  dividing  the 
color  of  the  back  from  that  of  the  sides;  axil  dusky.  Length  iy2 
feet." 

This  well-known  fish  is  caught  in  Florida  in  St.  Johns  River  only, 
and  in  nets.     Edible,  A. 


36  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH   FISH 


Illustration.     Page. 

25.     "SARDINELLA   SARDINA."  193  430 

"Head,  3i ;   depth,   2Va    to  3;  the  Florida 
Sardina  de  Ley.  '      5  '        r  /+ 

specimens  (Var.  Pensacolae)  averaging  23/£  ; 
Cuban  examples  about  3;  eye,  2^.  D.  16;  A.  17;  scales,  40; 
scutes,  16  +  12.  Body  deep,  with  the  ventral  outline  forming  an 
even  curve  from  chin  to  vent ;  eye  moderate,  j/3  longer  than  snout ; 
insertion  of  ventrals  nearer  tip  of  snout  than  base  of  caudal ;  teeth 
in  jaws  small ;  a  large  patch  on  tongue ;  scales  very  adherent,  each 
with  1  to  4  vertical  curved  strias,  those  before  dorsal  more  or  less 
laciniate.  Silvery,  dark  humeral  spot  usually  present,  but  often  ob- 
scure or  wanting  ;  surrounded  by  golden  in  life  ;  usually  a  row  of 
dark  points  extending  backward  from  it  along  upper  parts  of  body  ;. 
no  distinct  longitudinal  streaks.      Length,  8  inches." 

Caught  in  cast  nets  and  used  only  as  bait.     Especially  at  Key 
West.     Several  species,  but  I  give  only  one. 


ON   THE  EAST  C0AS7    OF  FLORIDA. 


37 


26. 


BREVOORTIA   TYRANNUS. 


Illustration.     Page. 

195  433 


Menhaden  ; 
mossbunker 
Bony-fish  ; 
Whitefish  ; 
Bugfish  ; 
Fatback ; 

POGY. 


"Head,  31;  depth,  3.  D.  19;  A.  20;  lateral 
line,  60  to  80  ;  ventral  plates,  20  +  12.  Head  rather 
short  and  heavy  ;  fins  comparatively  short,  the  height 
of  the  dorsal  less  than  the  length  of  the  maxillary ; 
height  of  anal  less  than  half  the  length  of  the  maxillary  ; 
pectorals  not  reaching  to  ventrals ;  dorsal  inserted 
slightly  behind  ventrals,  about  midway  between  snout 
and  base  of  caudal ;  scales  moderate,  strongly  serrated,  arranged  very 
irregularly,  those  before  dorsal  strongly  pectinate  ;  operculum  strongly 
striated  or  almost  smooth  (Var.  Aurea);  gill  rakers  much  longer  than 
eye.  Bluish  above  ;  sides  silvery,  with  a  strong  brassy  luster ;  fins 
usually  yellowish  ;  a  conspicuous  dark  scapular  blotch,  behind  which 
are  often  smaller  spots.     Length,  18  inches." 

Caught   in  cast  nets  at  Mosquito  Inlet,  and  used  as  bait.     Very 
plentiful  in  October  and  November.     Several  species,  I  give  only  two. 


27.     "BREVOORTIA   TYRANNUS  PATRONUS."  Not  illustrated.  434 

Menhaden;  Caught  in  cast  net  and  used  as  bait  all  along 

•Gulf  Menhaden.     the  CQast> 


38  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 


28. 


Illustration.     Page. 

STOLEPHORUS  PERTHECATUS."  196    442 


Anchovy.  "Head,  Bf3  j  depth,  5;  eye,   3^.     D.  11;  A.   16; 

scales,  38.  Body  somewhat  compressed,  the  belly  not  carinated  nor 
serrated ;  eye  longer  than  snout ;  snout  conical ;  teeth  minute,  in 
both  jaws  ;  maxillary  with  acute  tip  almost  reaching  gill  opening ; 
gill  rakers  numerous,  y$  eye ;  dorsal  inserted  midway  between 
center  of  eye  and  base  of  caudal  ;  pectorals  not  quite  reaching  ven- 
trals ;  axillary  sheaths  very  large,  almost  as  long  as  pectoral  or  ventral. 
Olivaceous,  with  a  narrow  silvery  stripe,  y^  depth  of  body,  not  half 
as  wide  as  eye.  Length,  3^  inches." 
Caught  in  cast  net  and  used  as  bait. 


29. 

Anchovy ; 
Striped  Anchovy  ; 
Manjua. 


STOLEPHORUS   BROWNII."     Not  illustrated.     443 
Caught  in  cast  net  and  used  as  bait. 


W 


«k 


538 


30.     "  SYNODUS  FCETENS."  236 

"Head,  4^;  depth,  7;  eye,  5}4-  D.  9  or 
10;  A.  11  or  12;  V.  8;  scales,  7-60  to  64-8 
(the  vertical  rows  counted  obliquely).  Snout 
long,  the  upper  jaw  1^4  in  head  ;  scales  less  reg- 
ularly arranged,  and  the  rows  less  oblique  than  in 
Sy nodus  lucioceps ;  those   on   the   opercle  in    about    5    rows,    on    the 


Lizard  Fish  ; 
Gall  1  wasp  ; 
Lagarto ; 
Soapfish  ; 
Ground   Spearing. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


39 


cheeks  in  7 ;  25  to  30  scales  along  back  before  dorsal ;  4  in  a  vertical 
row  between  adipose  fin  and  lateral  line,  5  in  an  oblique  row ; 
pectoral  fin  short,  2  in  head,  not  reaching  ventrals,  its  length  3^ 
that  of  the  premaxillary  ;  ventral  large,  1%  in  head,  its  length  from 
outer  edge  of  base  greater  than  from  tip  of  snout  to  upper  edge  of 
gill  opening ;  interorbital  space  considerably  concave,  with  radiating 
ridges.  Olivaceous  or  sandy  gray  ;  yellowish  below  ;  back  mottled  ; 
upper  surface  of  head  brownish,  distinctly  vermiculated  with  yellowish  ; 
ventral  fins,  lower  side  of  head,  and  inside  of  mouth  tinged  with 
yellow  ;  no  scapular  spot ;  snout  not  black  at  tip ;  dorsal  scarcely 
barred.  Length  12  inches."  Weight  to  1  or  2  pounds;  average 
}(  to  y2  pound. 

Caught :  I  have  caught  them  only  in  Biscayne  Bay  while  fishing 
for  Squirrel  Fish,  Sand  Perch,  or  Goat  Fish,  with  No.  1  or  No.  2 
hooks.  Bait :  Small  cut  fish,  light  rod  and  reel.  They  will  take  a 
troll.      Non-edible. 


Needlefish  ; 
Houndfish  ; 
Agujon  ; 

BlLLFISH. 


31.     "TYLOSURUS   ACUS. 


Illustration.     Page. 

309  716 


Needlefish  ; 
Houndfish  ; 
Aguja  de  Casta 
Guardfish  ; 
long-jaws. 


32.     "TYLOSURUS    RAPHIDOMA."  308  715 

"D.  21  to  24;  A.  22  to  24;  scales,  350. 
Caudal  keel  rather  strong,  black,  one  or  more 
folds  of  skin  across  edge  of  preopercle ;  body  ro- 
bust, little  compressed,  its  greatest  breadth  a 
little  more  than  ^  greatest  depth;  caudal  pe- 
duncle slightly  depressed,  a  little  broader  than  deep,  with  a  slight 
black  dermal  keel ;  head  broad,  interorbital  space  nearly  ^  length 
of  postorbital  part  of  head,  with  a  broad,  shallow,  nearly  naked 
median  groove,  which  is  wider  behind  and  forks  at  the  nape; 
supraorbital  bones  with  radiating  stria;;  jaws  unusually  short,  stiff, 
strong,   rapidly  tapering  forward ;   large   teeth   of  jaws  very  strong, 


40 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


knife-shaped  ;  upper  jaw  from  eye  about  1^  times  as  long  as  the  rest 
of  the  head;  eye  large,  7  in  snout,  2fi  in  postorbital  part  of  head, 
and  14  in  interorbital  width;  maxillary  entirely  covered  by  the  pre- 
orbital ;  cheeks  densely  scaled ;  opercles  mostly  naked  except  along 
the  anterior  margin  ;  scales  of  body  minute,  especially  above  ;  dorsal 
fin  low  posteriorly,  the  height  of  its  anterior  lobe  equaling  that  of 
anal  or  length  of  postorbital  part  of  head,  its  longest  ray  -|  the  base 
of  the  fin,  last  rays  of  dorsal  and  anal  much  elevated  in  young ; 
caudal  lunate,  its  lower  lobe  nearly  half  longer  than  the  upper ; 
middle  rays  about  as  long  as  eye ;  ventrals  inserted  midway  between 
base  of  caudal  and  middle  of  eye,  their  length  a  little  less  than  that 
of  pectoral,  and  equal  to  postorbital  part  of  head,  insertion  of  anal 
opposite  that  of  dorsal.  Color  green,  silvery  below ;  no  lateral 
stripe ;  pectorals  and  dorsal  blackish ;  scales  and  bones  green. 
Length,  3  to  5  feet." 

All  Needlefishes  are  worthless,  and  only  mentioned  as  a  curiosity. 
Very  troublesome  while  fishing  with  any  Crustacean  or  Mollusk  bait 
for  Bonefish,  as  they  eat  your  bait  out  of  its  shell,  first  boring  into 
the  shell.  Weight,  y±  pound  to  10  pounds,  my  experience.  Non- 
edible. 


M     :  -^^      < 


33 


EXOCCETUS   VOLITANS." 


Illustration.     Page. 

318  734 


Flying  Fish. 


Head   4^;    depth   61.      D.    12;   A.  11  ;    scales, 
55,  25  before  ventrals,  30  before  dorsal ;    6  rows  be- 
tween dorsal  and  lateral  line.     Snout  rather  obtuse,  4  in  head  ;   eye 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


41 


large,  2^  in  head  ;  interorbital  space  slightly  concave,  2^3  in 
head  ;  width  of  body  at  base  of  pectorals  1  ^  in  head  ;  anal  fin  long, 
opposite  dorsal ;  second  ray  of  pectorals  divided,  the  first  simple,  the 
third  and  fourth  longest ;  insertion  of  ventrals  midway  between  pos- 
terior edge  of  preopercle  and  base  of  caudal ;  pectoral  fins  not  uni- 
form, in  color  dark  brown,  with  an  oblique,  whitish  band,  which  be- 
gins in  the  axil  and  runs  obliquely  backward  to  middle  of  fin  ;  edges 
of  pectorals  whitish  ;  pectoral  fins  li  in  length  of  body,  their  tips 
reaching  beyond  dorsal  ;  ventrals  3^  in  body,  reaching  about  to 
ninth  ray  of  anal  ;  longest  dorsal  ray  2^  in  head,  anal  ray  3  ;  lower 
lobe  of  caudal  3-1-  in  body.  Ventral  fins  white,  with  a  slight  dusky 
shade  in  the  axil,  no  dark  markings  on  dorsal  or  anal.  Length,  12 
inches." 


Flying-fish, 
Sharp-nosed. 


34- 


FODIATOR    ACUTUS." 


Illustration. 

315 


Page. 

728 


Flying-fishes  are  occasionally,  and  accidentally, 
caught  outside.  Are  of  no  value,  except  as  curiosities. 
Weight,  }(  pound.     Non-edible. 


■ 


- 


m 


/    -V* 


35.     "HIPPOCAMPUS    HUDSONIUS." 


327 


777 


Sea-horse, 

Common  American  Sea-horse. 


"D.  19;  rings  12  +  32  to  35; 
depth  equal  to  length  of  head.  Snout 
1^  in  rest  of  head;  spines  of  head 
weak,  provided  with  cirri ;  spines  of  body  all  short  and  bluntish  ; 
dorsal  on  3*4  of  the  11  rings.  Dusky,  without  spots,  but  with  pale 
grayish  blotches,  which  are  sharply  edged  with  paler  and  blackish  ; 


42 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


some  of  these  between  eyes  and  on  neck,  the  most  distinct  blotch 
forming  an  hour-glass-shaped  figure,  extending  down  each  side  of 
the  back  ;  similar  blotches  on  belly  and  tail ;  dorsal  with  a  submar- 
ginal  dark  band."      Non-edible. 


36. 


HIPPOCAMPUS    ZOSTERS. 


Illustration.     Page. 

328  778 


Sea-horse. 


This  is  a  small  fish,  resembling  a  horse,  caught  in  net. 
One  was  caught  on  my  boat,  with  landing  net,  at  Jewfish 
Creek,  winter  of  1900.  Weight,  j£  pound.  Of  no  value  except  as 
a  curiosity.      Non-edible. 


;.\ 


u 


MUGIL    CEPHALUS." 


343 


811 


Mullet  ; 
Common  Mullet 
Striped  Mullet 
Cefalo ; 
Macho  ; 
Machuto  ; 
Lisa  Cabezuda. 


"Head  4\  (J>yi  in  total  with  caudal)  ;  depth 
3f  (5  in  total).  D.  IV-I,  8  ;  A.  Ill,  8  (very  rarely 
III,  7)  ;  scales  41-13.  Body  rather  robust,  some- 
what compressed,  its  depth  moderate  ;  snout  rather 
narrow  and  acutish,  its  upper  profile  little  less 
oblique  than  lower ;  interorbital  space  slightly 
convex,  2f  in  head ;  upper  lip  rather  thin  ;  space 
at  the  chin  between  the  mandibulary  bones  oblanceolate,  acutish 
posteriorly  ;  preorbital  narrow,  not  nearly  covering  the  maxillary ; 
eyes  hidden  anteriorly  and  posteriorly  by  a  broad  adipose  membrane  ; 
teeth  close-set,  rather  small,  but  evident ;  scales  rather  small ;  about 
23  large  scales  between  origin  of  dorsal  and  tip  of  snout ;  scales  on 
top  of  head  slightly  enlarged  ;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  with  very  few  scales  ; 
first  dorsal  spine  usually  a  little  more  than  half  head,  its  length  sub- 
ject to  some  variation ;  margin  of  soft  dorsal  concave,  the  seventh 
ray  shortest,   2j4   times    in  length  of  second    or  longest  ray;    anal 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


43 


similar  to  soft  dorsal,  but  less  concave  ;  pectoral  reaching  nearly  to 
front  of  spinous  dorsal,  its  insertion  above  axis  of  body  ;  caudal 
deeply  forked.  Color  dark  bluish  above  ;  sides  silvery,  with  con- 
spicuous dark  stripes  along  each  row  of  scales  ;  pale  yellowish  below  ; 
ventrals  yellowish,  the  other  fins  more  or  less  dusky.  Length,  1  to 
2  feet." 


'v\- 


:<v 


38.     "MUGIL    CUREMA." 


Illustration.     Page. 


344 


813 


Mullet  ; 

White  Mullet  ; 

Blue-back  Mullet 

Liza; 

Lisa  Blanca  ; 

Silver  Mullet. 


Mullets  are  used  by  sportsmen  as  bait,  and 
are  caught  by  the  guides  with  cast  nets.  Are 
used  alive  and  cut,  according  to  needs.  Nearly 
all  fish  will,  at  times,  take  them.  Edible,  C  ; 
but  the  large  Roe  Mullet  will  rank  B. 

Before  leaving  the  Mullet  question  I  wish  to 
tell  some  stories  about  them,  which  are  true,  even  if  they  are  fish 
stories. 

I  have  often  heard  the  statement  that  the  Mullet  crop  in  Florida 
is  as  important  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  State  as  the  corn  crop  is  to 
the  inhabitants  of  Illinois,  Iowa,  and  some  other  Western  States. 

The  statement  may  not  be  strictly  true,  but  the  crop  certainly 
furnishes  employment  and  food  to  a  great  many  men  and  their  families. 
Taken  in  connection  with  "Grits,"  called  in  the  North  (usually) 
hominy  or  fine  hominy,  they  are  in  some  cases  quite  a  portion,  and 
sometimes  all,  of  the  food,  in  some  seasons  of  the  year,  of  many  of 
the  colored  population.  Grits  is  one  of  the  cheapest  foods  in  the 
world,  very  seldom  reaching  in  Florida  more  than  two  and  a  half 
cents  per  pound  at  retail. 


44  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

Capt.  John  calls  it  "  Florida  Food." 

About  the  close  of  the  season  of  1896,  during  which  I  had  kept 
house  in  Augustine  three  months,  I  was  down  at  Corbett's  Dock, 
where  nearly  all  the  sailboats  lie.  A  party  of  five  or  six  white  and 
black  boatmen  were  talking  over  and  lamenting  the  bad  season,  which 
had  been  a  cold  one.  Some  of  them  were  wondering  how  they  would 
get  through  the  summer. 

One  colored  man  said  :  "  Well,  Ise  got  money  enuff  to  buy  two 
barls  grits,  and  I  can  ketch  de  Mullet  wid  my  cast  net,  so  I  kin  get 
along." 

He  illustrated  the  situation  with  a  good  many  colored  brothers, 
and  probably  many  white  men. 

G.  Brown  Goode,  in  "  American  Fishes,"  1887,  says  :  "  Although 
Mullets  are  abundant  almost  everywhere,  it  is  probable  that  no 
stretches  of  sea  coast  in  the  world  are  so  bountifully  supplied  with 
them  as  those  of  our  own  Southern  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  with 
their  broad  margin  of  partially  or  entirely  land-locked  brackish  water 
and  the  numerous  estuaries  and  broad  river  mouths.  The  Mullet  is 
probably  the  most  generally  popular  and  the  most  abundant  fish  of 
our  whole  southern  sea  board. 

"  Like  the  Menhaden,  it  utilizes  food  inaccessible  to  other  fishes, 
groping  in  the  bottom  mud,  which  it  swallows  in  large  quantities. 
Like  the  Menhaden,  it  is  not  only  caught  extensively  by  man,  but  is 
the  main  article  of  food  for  all  the  larger  fishes,  and  is  the  best  bait 
fish  of  the  regions  in  which  it  occurs."  And,  "In  October,  Char- 
lotte Harbor,  Sarasota  Bay,  and  Palmasola  Bay,  seem  to  be  the  head- 
quarters of  all  the  Mullets  of  the  Gulf.  Tampa  Bay,  Anclote  River, 
Homosassa  River  and  vicinity,  are  also  favorite  spawning  places. 
During  the  fall  they  move  in  such  immense  schools,  that  the  noise  of 
their  splashing  in  the  water  resembles  distant  thunder  ;  and  to  persons 
living  near  the  river  or  bay,  their  noise,  kept  up  day  and  night, 
becoming  very  annoying." 

I  have  heard  and  seen  all  the  above  movements  of  schools  of 
Mullet  in  Indian  River  ;  many  times  their  rushes,  when  pursued  by 
Porpoise,  Sharks,  and  Cavalle,  sounding  like  distant  thunder  or 
artillery. 

About  November  1,  1900,  while  I  was  aboard  my  boat,  at  anchor, 
opposite  Mosquito  Lighthouse,  about  the  middle  of  the  stream,  just 
after  dark  I  heard  a  great  commotion  in  the  water;  looking  out  I 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  45 

found  the  river  full  of  Mullet  bound  in  from  Mosquito  Inlet,  half  a  mile 
distant.     The  water  seemed  alive  with  them,   from  shore  to  shore. 

Capt.  Gardner  was  ashore  with  his  family.  He  got  some 
lanterns  and  placed  them  in  his  skiff,  which  he  held  to  and  at  right 
angle  with  the  shore,  thus  stopping  the  Mullet  which  were  running 
along  the  shore.  About  seventy-five  jumped  in  his  boat.  The 
lighthouse  keepers,  by  the  same  tactics,  with  two  or  three  boats, 
caught  over  200. 

That  is  a  big  fish  story,  but  it  is  a  true  one. 

A  few  days  after,  we  started  on  a  cruise  to  the  south  during  the 
forenoon,  and  within  a  mile  below  New  Smyrna  met  a  school  which 
extended  from  shore  to  shore,  but  not  so  solid.  Some  eight  or  ten 
boats  of  fishermen  were  in  the  school,  and  had  loaded  their  boats  to 
the  gunnels  by  using  their  cast  nets,  and  were  en  route  for  New 
Smyrna  to  market  their  fish. 

I  have  heard  a  story  of  the  late  Mr.  John  Ligget  of  St.  Louis, 
which  I  cannot  vouch  for,  but  presume  it  to  be  true.  He  was  on  a 
cruise  from  Rock  Ledge,  I  believe  on  the  schooner  "Tarpon," 
down  Indian  River.  He  had  heard  wonderful  stories  of  Mullet 
jumping  into  boats,  but  could  not  believe  them.  One  night,  under 
proper  conditions,  his  boatman  took  him  out  into  four  or  five  feet  of 
water  and,  with  torches  or  lanterns,  showed  him  the  stories  were 
sometimes  true,  and  he  hollered  "  Enough  !  " 


'       *-~"- —  .  —  .-._.—  -  - -y$'  _ 

Illustration.     Pag-e. 

39-     "SPHYRANEANA  BARRACUDA,  OR  PICUDA."   349          823 

Barracuda;  "  Head  3  ;   depth  2  in  head;   eye 

Great  Barracuda  ;  rather  small,  about  6  in  head,  equal  to 

Picuda  ;  width  of  interorbital  area.     D.  V-I,  9  ; 

Becuna  :  A.  I,  9 ;  scales  10-75  to  85-10,  the  cross 

Salt  Water  Pike  (G) ;  serieg  CQunted  from  ^^  yme  tQ  {iQnt 

Salt  Water  Mascalonge  (G).  -    ,         .  .  ,     _ 

ot    dorsal  and  anal    fins   respectively. 

Body  oblong,  slightly  compressed,  covered  with   large  scales ;  head 


46  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW    TO   CATCH  FISH 

large  ;  maxillary  large,  nearly  y2  length  of  head,  its  posterior  mar- 
gin reaching  past  front  of  orbit  ;  lower  jaw  with  fleshy  tip,  bluntly 
conical  ;  interorbital  area  concave,  with  a  shallow  medium  groove  (as 
wide  as  pupil  at  posterior  edge  of  orbit),  divided  by  a  ridge  in  front 
and  behind  ;  supraocular  ridge  bony  and  striate  ;  preocular  ridge  pres- 
ent ;  teeth  large  ;  premaxillary  teeth  small,  little  compressed,  irreg- 
ularly set  nearly  uniform  in  size,  somewhat  thicker  and  shorter 
posteriorly  ;  premaxillary  with  two  pairs  of  very  large  compressed 
teeth,  their  length  more  than  half  width  of  pupil ;  anterior  ones 
directed  downward,  posterior  ones  downward  and  backward  ;  teeth  in 
lateral  series  of  lower  jaw  small  anteriorly,  increasing  gradually 
backward,  when  they  nearly  equal  those  on  palatines  ;  palatine  teeth 
similar  to  those  on  lower  jaw,  arranged  in  reversed  order.  Distance 
from  tip  of  snout  to  front  of  dorsal  2|  in  body  ;  second  dorsal  spine 
longest,  lyj,  in  snout ;  second  dorsal  and  anal  equal;  anal  inserted 
under  first  third  of  soft  dorsal  ;  caudal  forked,  upper  lobe  the  longer  ; 
pectorals  reaching  beyond  front  of  dorsal,  2^  in  head;  origin  of 
first  dorsal  slightly  behind  the  ventrals  ;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly, 
about  12  rows  of  scales  on  cheeks;  upper  part  of  head  with  small 
embedded  scales.  Color  silvery,  darker  above  ;  sides  in  young  with 
about  10  dark  blotches  which  break  up  and  disappear  with  age  ;  some 
inky  spots,  usually  on  posterior  part  of  body,  are  very  conspicuous  in 
both  old  and  young  specimens ;  soft  dorsal,  anal  and  ventral  fins 
black,  except  on  margins  ;  pectorals  plain,  except  upper  part  of  its 
margin,  which  is  black ;  fins  of  very  young  specimens  nearly  plain. 
The  largest  and  most  voracious  of  the  Barracudas,  reaching  a  length 
of  6  feet. ' '     Weight  to  75  pounds  ;  average,  20  pounds. 

Caught  from  rowboat,  anchored,  still  fishing,  Tarpon  rod  and  reel, 
10$  or  Tarpon  hook,  21  line,  wire  snood  Xy^  feet  long.  Bait :  Live 
Mullet,  Spot,  Grunt  or  other  small  fish  ;  no  sinker.  Keep  the  bait 
floating  just  under  or  on  surface.  When  the  fish  bites,  let  him  run  a 
few  feet  and  strike,  and  play  him  until  he  surrenders.  Or,  trolling 
from  rowboat,  sailboat,  or  launch,  with  same  rig  as  above.  With  rod 
and  reel  you  must  slow  up  to  play  and  land  the  fish.  Or,  trolling 
with  y^-cotton  handline,  squid,  or  large  hook  and  live  or  dead  small 
fish.  And  last,  and  the  best  method  of  all,  fish  from  rowboat  on 
bars  near  passes,  sand  banks,  along  shores,  and  in  shallow  small  bays, 
especially  on  west  side  of  Biscayne  Bay,  in,  say,  three  to  five  feet  of 
water ;    Tarpon  rig,  with  small  brass  or  iron  chain  as  leader.     Bait, 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


47 


half-pound  Mullet  or  other  small  fish,  head  and  tail  cut  off.  Your 
guide  to  pole  the  boat  until  he  sees  a  fish  lying  on  the  bottom,  or 
moving  slowly,  he  then  stops  and  holds  the  boat  with  the  pole  ;  you 
keep  your  seat  and  cast  as  near  the  fish  as  possible  ;  he  will  run  a  short 
distance,  but  will  soon  return  and,  usually,  after  eyeing  the  bait,  will 
make  a  rush  and  gobble  it.  The  instant  he  takes  it,  strike  him.  If 
successful  in  hooking  him,  he  will  make  long  runs,  as,  like  the  Bone- 
fish  under  same  circumstances,  he  has  no  deep  water  to  run  to.  Play 
him  until  he  surrenders.  He  has  no  superior  as  a  game  fish  when 
thus  caught ;  in  fact,  I  consider  him  fully  equal  to  the  Tarpon  or  any 
game  fish  when  caught  in  this  way.  I  call  this  fish  a  salt-water  Pike, 
or  salt-water  Mascalonge.  Picuda,  Spanish,  means  Pike.  Edible  up 
to  15  pounds.     A  1,  or  A. 


V's 


40.     "HOLOCENTRUS  ASCENSIONIS.' 


Illustration.     Page. 

358  848 


Squirrel-fish  ;  "Head  3}i  ;     depth  3-f ;    eye  24;    snout  4^. 

Matejuelo;  d.    XI,    15;    A.    Ill,    10;°  scales    5-50   to   54-7; 

Soldado;  coeca  25;    vertebrae  11  +  16.     Mouth  small,  little 

Welshman.  ...  .,.  ' 

oblique,  maxiliary  scarcely  reaching  middle  of  eye  ; 

longest   dorsal  spines  more   than   half  length  of  head  ;     soft   dorsal 

pointed,  as  high  as  the  body  ;  third  anal  spine  very  strong,  as  long  as 


48  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  EISH 

longest  anal  rays,  \2/z  in  depth  of  body  ;  upper  lobe  of  caudal 
much  the  longer.  In  life,  chiefly  bright  red,  with  shining  longitudi- 
nal streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales ;  some  specimens  somewhat 
darker,  and  tinged  with  olive  above  ;  fins  light  red,  the  spinous  dorsal 
largely  golden  olive,  its  edge  scarlet ;  head  quite  red  above ;  an 
oblique  white  bar  descends  backward  from  the  eye ;  these  colors  fad- 
ing in  spirits.  This  species  varies  much  in  the  depth  of  body  and 
the  height  of  the  fins.  Length  about  2  feet."  Weight  to  10  pounds. 
Caught:  4$  to  5$  hook,  15  to  21  line.  Bait:  Conch;  Crawfish. 
Edible,  B. 


Illustration.     Page. 

41.     "DIPLECTRUM    FORMOSUM."  502        1207 

Squirrel-fish  ;  Caught  same  as  above.      A  much  smaller  fish  than 

Serrano;  jast  name(j>  Q  to  10  inches  long. 

Caught  in  Biscayne  Bay.      }£  to  1  pound.     Edi- 
ble, A. 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


49 


42. 


GYMNOSARDA 


Illustrati' 

ALLETERATA."      366 


Page. 
869 


Bonito ; 
Little  Tunny  ; 
Frigate  Mackerel 
Oceanic  Bonito  ; 
Blue  Bonito. 


"  Head  3^;  depth  4#.  D.  XV-I,  12-VIII; 
A.  12- VII.  Body  fusiform,  robust;  lateral  line 
nowhere  making  a  very  distinct  curve  ;  corselet 
well  developed,  not  covering  the  entire  space  be- 
tween the  diagonals  connecting  the  posterior  ex- 
tremity of  spinous  dorsal  and  base  of  pectorals ;  posterior  margin  of 
preopercle  about  2  in  inferior  margin  ;  pectorals  reaching  vertical  from 
ninth  dorsal  spine.  Bluish  above  ;  sides  and  belly  silvery  ;  no  stripes 
of  any  kind  below  lateral  line  ;  above  lateral  line  several  wavy,  oblique 
streaks ;  5  round  black  spots  about  as  large  as  pupil  below  pectoral." 
I  have  seen  this  fish  off  the  pier  at  Lake  Worth  (Palm  Beach),  but 
have  never  caught  one. 


,#*' 


HHL, 


*^-i, 


?******< 


43.     "SCOMBEROMORUS   MACULATUS."    368  874 

Spanish  Mackerel  ;  "  Head  4j4  )    depth  4^.      D.  XVII-18-IX  ; 

SlERRA-  A.  II-17-IX;    maxillary  14  in  head ;    eye  4^  ; 

pectoral  1^  ;  ventral  4}4  ',  dorsal  and  anal   lobes  subequal  2  ;   body 


50  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

elongate,  its  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  equal  ;  profile  straight  from 
snout  to  dorsal  ;  head  small  and  pointed ;  mouth  large,  oblique,  jaws 
equal ;  maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  orbit ;  teeth  large, 
compressed  and  sharp,  their  formula  being  24-24  to  32-32;  gill  rakers 
2  -f- 11  j  soft  dorsal  inserted  in  advance  of  anal  a  distance  about 
equal  to  diameter  of  eye  ;  lateral  line  undulating,  with  about  175 
pores.  Color  silvery,  bluish  above  ;  sides  with  many  elliptical  spots 
of  dull  orange  color,  two  rows  of  these  spots  below  lateral  line  and 
one  row  above ;  spinous  dorsal  white  at  base,  black  above ;  soft 
dorsal  tinged  with  yellowish,  its  margins  black  ;  anal  white  ;  posterior 
side  of  pectoral  black,  anterior  side  yellowish  with  black  borders ; 
caudal  blackish."     Weight  to  12  pounds;  average,  2  to  3  pounds. 

Caught,  usually,  trolling  with  Mackerel  squid,  spoon,  red  and  white 
rag,  or  fish  bait.  The  squid  preferred.  Piano  wire  leader  eighteen 
inches,  hand  line  ;  or  if  you  are  in  a  school  outside,  rod  and  reel  trol- 
ling, or  floating  in  rowboat,  or  from  sailboat  or  launch.  Caught  out- 
side and  inside  at  Indian  River  Inlet  and  Gilbert's  Bar,  mostly  out- 
side ;  Biscayne  Bay,  outside,  and  usually  fewer  inside,  but  some 
seasons  good  success  inside.  The  fish  change  location  from  year  to 
year.  See  "  Indian  River  Inlet,"  "  Biscayne  Bay,"  and  "  Miami," 
in  this  book.     A  very  gamy  fish  on  rod  and  reel.      Edible  A. 

Illustration.     Page. 

44.     "SCOMBEROMORUS   CAVALLA."     Not  illustrated.     875 

Kingfish  ;  "  Head  5  ;  depth  6  ;  eye  large,  2  in  snout.   D.  XV-I, 

Cavalla  :  15-VIII;  A.  II,  15-VIII.  Mouth  large,  maxillary  reaching 
Cero  ;  to  beiow  eye  ■   lateral  line  descending  abruptly  below  the 

„  second    dorsal  ;     teeth    triangular,    strongly    compressed, 

Pintado.  °        '  .  °  J  I  ' 

about  30  on  each  jaw  ;  pectoral  5  in  body.  Gill  rakers 
very  short,  less  than  jA,  diameter  of  eye,  about  8  below  the 
angle.  Adult  iron  gray,  nearly  or  quite  immaculate ;  young  with 
the  sides  of  body  marked  with  darker  yellowish  spots  ;  spinous  dor- 
sal without  black  blotch  anteriorly."  Weight  up  to  100  pounds; 
average  about  15  pounds  off  Lake  Worth  and  Biscayne  Bay;  at  Key 
West,  about  10  pounds. 

Caught  by  trolling,  hand  line  y^,  Kingfish  squid,  with  copper,  or 
piano  wire  leader,  LS-in.;  or  rod  and  reel,  Tarpon  rig,  21  line,  10$ 
hook.  Caught  from  Lake  Worth  to  Key  West,  all  outside.  Bait : 
Whole  or  cut  Mullet  or  other  small  fish,  alive  or  dead.      Fine  sport 


ON   THE  EAST   COAST   OF  FLORIDA. 


51 


outside  with  rowboat,  rod  and  reel  when  sea  is  quiet  enough  to  leave 
the  large  boat.  Edible.  Up  to  6  or  8  pounds  fine  flavor,  but  rather 
tough.  C.  All  sizes  are  dried  at  Key  West  for  the  home  and  Cuban 
markets. 


X  _' 


Cutlass  Fish  ; 
Scabbard  Fish 
Silverfish  ; 
Sable  ; 
Savola. 


Illustration.     Page, 

45.     "TRICHIURUS    LEPTURUS."  375  889 

"  Head  about  7}4',  depth  about  16;  eye  2  in 
snout.  D.  135 ;  A.  about  100 ;  snout  long  and 
pointed,  about  as  long  as  pectoral ;  maxillary  reach- 
ing nearly  to  pupil,  concealed  by  preorbital.  Uni- 
form bright  silvery;  dorsal  dark  edged." 
This  is  a  rare  fish.  Several  were  brought  to  the  Royal  Palm  Hotel 
during  winter  1901.  Caught  while  trolling  for  other  fish  near 
Fowey  Rock  Light  off  Soldier  Key.  Beautiful  silver  fish,  4  to  6  feet 
long,  2  to  3  inches  wide,  1  to  2  inches  thick,  shape  of  a  scabbard. 
Usually  caught  while  trolling  off  the  Keys  for  other  fish.  Non-edible  ; 
supposed  to  be. 


52 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  II OW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


46. 


Illustration.     Page. 


ISTIOPHORUS   NIGRICANS. 


376 


891 


Sailfish  ; 
Spikefish  ; 
BoOHOO ; 
GUEBUCU ; 
VOILIER  ; 

Aguja  Voladora 
Aguja  Prieta  ; 
Spearfish  ; 
Bannerfish. 


"  Head  2^  (3#  in  length  with  caudal);  depth 
about  6.  D.  XLI-7 ;  A.  9-7.  Longest  dorsal 
spine  3^  total  length  of  head  ;  ventrals  If  in  head  ; 
pectorals  3f  ;  caudal  lobes  1^$.  Snout,  from  eye, 
2^  times  length  rest  of  head ;  lower  jaw  S}4  in 
head  ;  front  of  eye  nearly  midway  between  tip  of 
lower  jaw  and  edge  of  opercle  ;  interorbital  space 
broad,  flattish,  If  in  postorbital  part  of  head ; 
maxillary  reaching  to  slightly  beyond  eye,  which  is  2}i  in  postorbital 
part  of  head  and  10  in  snout;  sword  narrow,  regularly  tapering, 
depressed,  its  upper  and  lower  surfaces  both  rounded,  its  edges  blunt 
and  rougher  than  its  upper  side  ;  for  its  entire  length  it  is  nearly 
twice  as  broad  as  deep  ;  breadth  of  snout  at  the  middle  point  between 
its  tip  and  the  eye  25  times  in  its  length  from  the  eye.  Bluish  black, 
paler  below  ;  dorsal  dusky  bluish  ;  its  membranes  with  many  nearly 
round  black  spots,  from  }i  to  j{  diameter  of  orbit.  Length  of  speci- 
men described  (obtained  by  Dr.  Jordan  at  Key  West)  6  feet. ' '  Weight 
to  150,  or  more,  pounds. 

Caught  trolling  outside  with  sailboat  or  launch,  rod  and  reel  Tar- 
pon rig,  or  Kingfish  rig.  One  of  these  fishes,  and  the  only  one  I  have 
seen,  was  taken,  late  in  March,  1901,  by  a  party  consisting  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Moore  and  Mr.  Hiding  of  Kansas  City,  Mo.  The  party 
were  on  a  launch  in  charge  of  Charley  Thompson,  and  were  trolling 
with  hand  line  and  rod  and  reel  near  Fowey  Rock   Light  off  Soldier 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  53 

Key,  and  part  of  the  time  were  fishing  for  these  fishes,  of  which 
there  was  a  school  running  at  the  time.  One  of  the  Sail-fishes 
jumped  out  of  the  water,  some  ten  feet  or  more,  almost  perpendic- 
ularly, and  very  near  where  Mrs.  Moore  was  sitting  in  the  boat. 
She,  almost  instantly,  jumped  to  the  other  side  of  the  boat,  and  in  a 
second  or  two  the  fish  made  another  jump  coming  through  between 
the  deck  stanchions,  just  where  Mrs.  Moore  had  been  sitting,  struck 
the  iron  door  of  the  engine  casing,  smashing  it  in,  and  fell  on  the 
bottom  of  the  boat,  where  he  was  killed  with  wrenches  and  hammers 
by  Mr.  Thompson  and  the  engineer.  As  his  spear  was  some  eighteen 
inches,  or  more,  long,  Mrs.  Moore  had  a  very  narrow  escape.  The 
fish  was  exhibited  at  the  Hotel  Royal  Palm  the  evening  of  the  day 
he  was  taken,  measured  7  feet  2  inches  from  tip  of  spear  to 
tail ;  weighed  87  pounds,  and  I  think  it  was  given  to  the  hotel 
to  be  mounted.  Two  or  three  years  before  the  above  time,  Mr. 
Armes,  with  Mr.  Cameron  as  guide,  caught  one  with  rod  and  reel  of 
about  same  size  and  weight.  I  have  photograph  of  that  fish.  This 
fish  is  supposed  to  be  non-edible,  and  of  no  value  except  the  sport 
of  catching,  and  as  a  curiosity. 

After  writing  the  above  account  of  the  Sail-fish  jumping  into  the 
launch,  not  desiring  to  use  the  names  of  any  parties  without  their 
consent,  I  wrote  to  Mr.  George  D.  Huling  of  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  ask- 
ing if  it  was  agreeable  to  himself  and  the  other  parties  on  the  launch 
to  use  their  names,  and  also  asking  if  I  had  given  a  correct  account  of 
the  adventure.  I  received  reply  from  which  I  quote  as  follows,  viz  : 
"I  have  seen  all  the  people  connected  with  that  fish  story,  and  they 
are  agreeable  to  your  publication  of  their  names.  Your  story  is 
mainly  correct,  with  the  exception  that  six  of  those  fishes  were  jump- 
ing in  the  air  when  one  landed  in  the  boat. 

"The  boat  was  a  forty-foot  steam  launch,  owned  by  Mr.  Moore. 
The  parties  in  the  boat  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  R.  Moore,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  W.  M.  Reid,  Miss  Reid,  Miss  La  Forge,  G.  D.  Huling,  Charles 
Thompson,  captain,  and  one  servant." 


54  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


Illustration.     Page. 

47.     "TRACHINOTUS   CAROLINUS."        398  944 

PoMPANO  .  "  Head  4  ;  depth  2/3  to  2f.    D.  VII-I,  25  ; 

Common  Pompano  ;    A.  II— I,  23.   Body  oblong,  comparatively  robust ; 
Cobbler.  greatest    thickness    3   in    greatest    depth ;    snout 

from  mouth  to  horizontal  from  upper  edge  of  eye  nearly  vertical, 
somewhat  bluntly  rounded ;  profile  from  upper  edge  of  snout  to  pro- 
cumbent spine  evenly  convex ;  mouth  nearly  horizontal,  maxillary 
reaching  to  vertical  from  middle  of  eye,  its  length  27/%  in  head 
eye  4^  in  head,  about  as  long  as  snout ;  jaws  without  teeth  in  adult 
ventrals  reach  i  distance  to  vent,  about  2  in  pectorals,  2^  in  head 
dorsal  and  anal  fins  falcate,  anterior  rays  nearly  reaching  middle  of 
fins  when  depressed;  dorsal  lobe  4^  in  body  ;  anal  b*4  in  length 
of  body.  Color  bluish  above,  silvery  or  slightly  golden  below ; 
pectorals  and  anal  light  orange  shaded  with  bluish  ;  caudal  and  upper 
portion  of  caudal  peduncle  with  bluish  reflections.  Length  18  inches." 
I  quote  from  U.  S.  Commission  Report  1896,  page  233  :  "  Pom- 
pano are  taken  occasionally,  weighing  20  to  27  pounds,  but  none 
was  seen  during  the  investigation.  The  largest  reported  weighed  27 
pounds.  They  are  probably  the  same  species  of  Trachinotus  known 
about  Key  West  as  the  'Permit,'  recently  decided  to  be  a  distinct 
species  and  named  '  Trachinotus  goodeV  by  Jordan  &  Evermann. 
They  are,  of  course,  not  the  '  Permit '  of  Indian  River,  which  is  a  small 
fish.  The  true  Pompano  of  Indian  River  does  not  exceed  7  or  8 
pounds  in  weight."  U.  S.  Commission,  1896,  has  plate  No.  38  of 
the  "Common  Pompano." 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


55 


The  market  fishermen  of  Indian  River  and  Lake  Worth  do  think 
the  "true"  or  Common  Pompano  have  been  caught  weighing  up  to 
27  pounds.  I  have  often  been  told  of  specimens  weighing  20  to  25 
pounds.  I  am  quite  sure  the  one  caught  by  Capt.  Gardner  at  Lake 
Worth  April  15,  1898,  was  a  true  Pompano,  as  he  was  compared 
with  several  undoubted  Pompanos,  by  Mr.  Cory  the  taxidermist  (who 
had  him  mounted),  by  Mr.  Allen  of  The  Inn  (now  The  Breakers),  and 
ourselves.  We  all  thought  the  agreement  was  perfect  in  every  respect. 
In  my  estimate  of  weight  of  the  Pompano,  I  will,  however,  be  guided 
by  the  scientific  people. 

Weight  8  pounds  ;  average  about  2  pounds.  Caught  with  rod  and 
reel,  6  or  9  line,  No.  2f0  or  3$  hook,  double  gut  snood  12  to  18  inches, 
small  egg  sinker,  fish  on  the  bottom.  Bait :  Sand  fleas,  or  other 
Crustacea;  they  will  not  touch  cut  fish.  Jupiter  Inlet  (when  open), 
Lake  Worth  Inlet,  and  the  beach  of  Lake  Worth  the  best  grounds  I 
know  of.  Occasionally  caught  at  Gilbert's  Bar  inside,  and  at  Indian 
River  Inlet.  In  May  and  June  they  run  to  the  Carolina  coast.  In 
June  of  1901,  Capt.  Gardner  caught  25  in  several  throws  with  cast 
net,  at  Ponce  Park.     Edible,  A  1. 


>*& 


Illustration.  Page. 

48.     "TRACHINOTUS    FALCATUS."         396  941 

"  Head  3^  ;  depth  If.     D.  VI-I,  19  ;  A. 
II— I,  18.  Body  broadly  ovate,  moderately  com- 
pressed, profile  very  evenly  convex  from  pro- 
cumbent spine  to  level  of  upper  edge  of  eye, 
where  it  descends  almost  vertically  ;  the  vertical  portion  is  about  1  yj 


Pompano ; 

Round  Pompano ; 

Palometa ; 

Indian  River  Permit 


56  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO    CATCH  FISH 

times  the  eye  ;  length  of  snout  nearly  equal  to  eye  ;  mouth  nearly  hori- 
zontal ;  maxillary  reaching  to  vertical  from  middle  of  eye,  its  length 
2^3  in  head  ;  jaws  without  teeth  in  adult ;  dorsal  spines  short  and  thick, 
not  connected  by  membrane  in  adult ;  ventrals  short,  their  tips  scarcely 
reaching  halfway  to  anterior  anal  spine,  3  in  head ;  caudal  widely 
forked ;  lobes  about  2^  in  length  of  body  ;  dorsal  and  anal  fins 
falcate  ;  anterior  rays  reaching  almost  to  posterior  end  of  fins  ;  in 
adults,  dorsal  lobe  2fi,  anal  lobe  A1/,,  in  length  of  body.  Color 
bluish  above,  silvery  below  ;  lobes  of  dorsal  black  in  young  ;  in  adults 
the  fins  are  all  bluish  with  lighter  tips.  The  young  differ  from  the 
adult  as  above  described  in  the  following  respects  :  The  profile  is 
scarcely  convex  ;  snout  shorter  and  less  vertical ;  spines  much  longer 
and  connected  by  membranes ;  lobes  of  vertical  fins  shorter ;  dorsal 
lobe  with  black ;  fins  all  much  darker ;  jaws  with  bands  of  villiform 
teeth  ;  eye  larger. ' ' 

I  presume  the  most  of  my  readers  who  have  visited  Florida  have 
heard  wonderful  stories  of  Pompanos  jumping  into  boats.  I  will  tell 
some  true  ones,  and  some  others  afterwards  which  have  been  told 
to  me. 

On  my  first  visit  to  Lake  Worth,  before  the  Royal  Poinciana  and 
the  railroad  were  built,  while  I  was  on  the  little  steamer  "Lake 
Worth  "  en  route  from  Dimmick's  Hotel  to  Juno,  a  Pompano  jumped 
into  the  engine  room  of  the  boat. 

On  my  cruise  with  Capt.  Ward  in  1885,  while  at  Jupiter  trolling 
inside  for  Bluefish,  etc.,  the  Pompanos  were  jumping  all  over  the 
little  bay,  and  two  or  three  went  over  the  small  boat  we  were  towing 
behind  the  sailboat.  I  remarked  to  the  captain:  "I  believe  some 
of  those  fellows  will  land  in  our  boat  ";  and  he  replied,  "  Sure,  they 
often  do,  three  jumped  into  boats  yesterday  afternoon."  In  a  short 
time,  one  did  jump  into  our  boat  and  we  cooked  him  for   dinner. 

At  that  time  there  was  no  market  fishing  at  all  on  Indian  River, 
and  it  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  at  Jupiter  I  frequently  saw  fifty, 
or  possibly  a  hundred,  out  of  the  water  at  one  time. 

During  the  spring  of  1900,  while  lying  at  same  place,  our  mate  was 
in  a  small  boat  cleaning  it  out,  when  a  Pompano  jumped,  hitting  him 
on  the  back  and  falling  into  the  boat.  The  next  morning  he  was 
washing  the  deck  of  the  yacht,  when  a  Pompano  jumped  onto  the 
deck,  the  mate  catching  him. 

One  of  the  other   stories  was  told  by  Capt.   Bravo,  then  of  the 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  57 

East  Coast  Railway  steamer  "Santa  Lucia,"  now  of  the  steamer 
"City  of  Key  West,"  and  probably  is  a  "chestnut,"  but  I  have 
never  seen  it  in  print,  and  presume  it  is  not  copyrighted. 

While  on  the  river  during  winter  of  1895,  I  heard  several 
times  that  a  great  many  Pompanos  had  jumped  on  to  the  "Santa 
Lucia  "  just  at  the  entrance  to  Jupiter  Narrows  opposite  Gilbert's  Bar. 
I  have  known  the  place  very  well,  as  the  steamers  almost  every  trip 
would  ground  there,  from  a  few  minutes  to  hours,  and  have  a  hard 
time  floundering  around  trying  to  get  off.  And  I  had  seen  many 
Pompano  jumping  in  the  inside  channel  almost  every  time  I  was  there. 

I,  naturally,  after  hearing  the  stories  several  times,  began  to  be 
suspicious  that  they  might  possibly  be  true,  although  the  number  had 
grown  from  twenty  or  thirty  on  some  trips,  up  to  seventy-nine.  I 
concluded  to  ask  Capt.  Bravo  about  it.  Later,  I  was  at  the  Royal 
Poinciana  for  a  couple  of  months.  At  that  time  the  bridge  across 
Lake  Worth  had  not  been  built,  so  the  "Santa  Lucia"  had  been 
brought  down  and  was  used  as  a  ferry  for  passengers  and  freight  from 
West  Palm  Beach  to  the  Royal  Poinciana.  As  this  employed  but  a 
part  of  the  day,  the  boat  made  excursion  trips  during  the  forenoon 
and  afternoon  to  Pitts  Island,  north,  and  Lantana,  south. 

A  party  of  a  dozen  or  so  of  St.  Louis  people,  including  my 
daughter  and  myself,  took  the  Lantana  trip  one  afternoon.  As  we 
were  all  out  in  front  on  the  cabin  deck,  and  Capt.  Bravo  among  us, 
I  thought  it  a  good  time  to  ask  him  as  to  the  truth  of  the  Jupiter 
Narrows  Pompano  stories,  which  I  did,  in  the  presence  of  our  party 
and  other  passengers.  The  captain  immediately  replied  that  the 
stories  were  true,  and  said  :  "You  will  believe  anything  Mr.  Flagler 
will  say,  won't  you?"  We  all  replied,  "Yes,  of  course  we  will." 
Then  he  went  on  as  follows  :  "Uncle  Henry  was  on  the  boat  a  while 
ago,  and  as  we  approached  Gilbert's  Bar  from  the  north  asked  if  these 
stories  about  Pompano  were  true,  and  I  told  him  I  would  convince 
him.  Night  was  coming  on,  so  I  had  our  large  ice  box,  with  some 
ice  in  it,  placed  right  in  the  gangway  aft,  right  near  the  opening,  and 
just  before  we  got  to  the  Narrows  put  a  lantern  on  each  end  of  the 
box.  We  got  into  the  Narrows  just  about  dark,  and  the  Pompanos 
began  to  jump  into  the  box  onto  the  ice,  and  never  stopped  until 
they  filled  it  heaping  full.  We  did  not  get  aground  that  night,  as  we 
usually  did.  Now,  if  you  don't  believe  me,  ask  Uncle  Henry."  I 
will  leave  the  story  with  the  reader,  simply  saying  that,  as  far  as  I 


58  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

know,  none  of  the  party  ever  asked  Uncle  Henry  to  corroborate  the 
story.  I  had  slight  doubts,  however,  about  the  not-grounding  part 
of  the  story,  as  I  had  been  over  the  route  many  times. 

After  writing  Capt.  Bravo's  Pompano  story  I  wrote  him  asking 
permission  to  publish  the  same,  and  received  reply  from  which  I  will 
quote.  The  captain,  in  his  modest  way,  is  rather  inclined  to  give 
Mr.  Flagler  the  full  credit  for  telling  that  Pompano  story,  but  says  he 
will  vouch  for  it,  and  then  goes  on  as  follows,  viz  :  "  When  I  first  came 
to  Indian  River  the  people  there  told  me  fish  were  so  plenty  that  they 
need  do  no  fishing  at  all ;  all  they  had  to  do  was  to  put  a  lantern  in 
the  boat  and  anchor  it  out ;  go  to  it  in  the  morning  and  it  would 
have  all  the  fish  in  it  they  wanted. 

"  I  worked  for  Mr.  Flagler  as  captain  on  one  of  his  steamers  on 
Indian  River  for  two  years.  During  that  time  I  fed  the  officers  and 
crew  of  said  steamer,  and  got  so  much  per  day  for  doing  so.  Now, 
if  I  got  my  fish  for  nothing  it  would  be  quite  a  saving  to  me,  because 
everybody  wanted  Pompano,  and  Pompano  was  a  high-priced  fish. 
So  when  I  got  below  Eden  I  called  all  the  crew  on  and  ran  the 
steamer  across  the  shoal,  when  the  Pampanos,  being  frightened, 
started  to  jump  onto  the  steamer.  I  have  caught  as  many  as  eighty 
going  across  one  shoal. 

"  Now,  I  believe  any  fish  story  anybody  tells  me  after  living  on 
Indian  River  five  years ;  but  one  day  I  had  a  passenger  from  the 
Columbia  River,  Oregon.  I  was  showing  him  the  great  quantities  of 
fish  we  had  in  Indian  River,  and  told  him  some  pretty  strong  stories 
that  had  been  told  to  me.  It  did  not  seem  to  surprise  him  at  all, 
like  it  did  most  tenderfeet,  so  he  says  to  me,  '  on  the  Columbia 
River,  where  I  come  from,  we  have  salmon.  I  have  looked  at  a 
school  coming  down  the  river,  acres  of  them,  and  that  is  the  greatest 
sight  in  the  world.  Sometimes,  he  said,  one  of  them  would  jump 
out  and  when  he  fell  back  there  would  be  no  place  for  him  but  to  fall 
on  top  of  the  school  and  die  there.'  I  believe  his  story,  though  it  is 
a  hard  one.  I  could  continue  telling  some  incidents  in  the  fish  line 
indefinitely,  but  I  will  close." 

The  captain  said  nothing  in  his  letter  about  his  statement,  in  his 
first  Pompano  story,  that  the  "Santa  Lucia"  did  not  get  aground 
that  night.  I  may  swallow  his  fish  stories,  but  when  he  tells  me  he 
navigated  the  "Santa  Lucia"  into  Jupiter  Narrows  without  getting 
aground,  I  have,  at  least,  faint  doubts.     I  will  say,  however,  that  a  fish 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  59 

book,  or  any  other  book,  treating  of  the  East  Coast  of  Florida,  which 
does  not  reckon  with  Capt.  S.  A.  Bravo  is  not  of  much  account. 
Another  story  is  that  a  Northern  gentleman,  who  spent  his  winters 
at  Eden,  or  Jensen,  I  forget  which,  had  heard  these  Pompano  stories, 
and  thought  he  would  try  an  experiment ;  which  he  did  by  building 
a  small  fire  right  near  the  water,  at  night,  then  taking  a  fry  pan,  with 
a  piece  of  pork  in  it,  and  holding  it  over  the  fire.  In  a  short  time  a 
couple  of  Pompanos  jumped  into  the  pan,  where  he  fried  them.  Now, 
I  do  not  believe  this  last  story ;  but  I  do  believe  that  in  Yellowstone 
Lake,  in  Yellowstone  Park,  Trout  are  caught  and  without  taking 
them  off  the  hook  are  swung  around  into  a  boiling  spring,  where  they 
are  boiled  to  a  turn.  I  have  not  seen  that  done,  but  have  been  there 
and  have  seen  places  on  the  lake  where  it  can  be  done,  and  am  sure 
it  is  done  in  a  small  stream  near  the  Mammoth  Spring  Hotel. 


49.     "TRACHINOTUS   FALCATUS." 

(Repetition.) 

Round  Pompano  ;  \  (J.    &    E.,   U.    S.    Commission,    1895, 

Palometa;  page  348  ^      (Evermann    &    Bean,   report 

Permit  of  Indian  River  ;  TT     0     ^  .     .  1on(l  ooa 

to   U.    S.    Commission,    1896,    pages  230, 

Permit.  r  ° 

235,  243),  and  Plate  39. 

This  fish  is  usually  called  "  Indian  River,  "or  "  Small  "    Permit. 

"  The  '  Permit '  of  Indian  River  is  Trachinotus  falcatus,  a  differ- 
ent species. ' ' 

Report  of  H.  M.  Smith,  B.  W.  Evermann,  John  N.  Cobb,  and 
W.  C.  Kendall,  printed  in  U.  S.  Commission,  1896,  page  285. 
Weight  to  10  pounds.  Edible,  C.  Occasionally  and  accidentally 
caught  while  fishing  for  Pompano  or  other  fish. 

Illustration.     Page- 

50.     "TRACHINOTUS    GOODEI."    Not  illustrated.   943 

Permit;  "Head  3;    depth  2f.      D.   VI-I,  19;  A.  II— I, 

Palometa  ;  1  7_   Body  oblong,  elliptical,  moderately  compressed  ; 

Great  Pompano.  profiie  nearly  straight  from  procumbent  spine  to 
nostril,  where  it  descends  nearly  vertically,  forming  an  angle  ;  verti- 
cal portion  from  angle  to  snout  nearly  equaling  eye  ;  snout  obliquely 
truncated  ;  maxillary  reaching  slightly  behind  vertical  from  middle 
of  eye,  its  length  2f  in  head  ;  jaws  with  bands  of  villiform  teeth 
(these    disappearing   with    age);     ventrals    reaching    i   distance   to 


60  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

vent ;  their  length  2  in  head ;  tips  of  pectorals  reaching  slightly 
past  tips  of  ventrals  ;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  falcate,  their  anterior  soft 
rays  less  elevated  than  in  Trachinotus  fatcatus,  but  extending  beyond 
middle  of  fins  when  depressed,  their  length  in  the  young  4  in  length 
of  body ;  caudal  forked,  lobes  about  3  in  body  ;  lateral  line  nearly 
straight,  slightly  curved  upward  above  the  pectorals.  Color  bluish 
silvery  above,  silvery  below  ;  dorsal,  caudal  and  anal  lobes  black  ;  no 
cross  bars.     Length  3  feet." 

"Permit  or  Pompano.  This  large  Pompano,  which  attains  the 
weight  of  25  pounds,  is  not  uncommon  along  the  Keys."  (Report  of 
Hugh  M.  Smith,  U.  S.  Commission,  1895,  page  174.) 

"  Key  West  Permit,  or  Permit  of  Key  West,  Trachinotus goodei." 
(Evermann  &  Bean,  report  toU.  S.  Commission,  1896,  pages  230,  243. ) 

"Permit,  Trachinotus  goodei,  J.  &  E.  This  species  is  not  very 
common  about  Key  West.  It  reaches  a  weight  of  40  pounds,  the 
average  being  about  8  pounds.  It  is  taken  in  winter  by  hook  and 
line  and  seine." 

This  fish  is  often  called  "  Key  West  Permit,"  or  "  Large  Permit." 
Weight  to  40  pounds ;  average,  25  pounds.  All  I  have  seen  were 
caught  near  Fowey  Rock  Light,  trolling  from  naphtha  launch.  Quite 
a  number  of  them  were  brought  to  Hotel  Royal  Palm,  1901.  Edi- 
ble.    Barely  edible,  C. 

'■■/-■  . 


Illustration.     Page. 

51.     "SERIOLA    LALANDI."  382  903 

AmberJack;  "  Head  3%  to  4^;  depth  3^  to  3%.    D.I, 

Great  Amber-fish  ;     34  •   A.  I,  27  ;    dorsal  lobes  2^   in  head  ;  max- 
Coronado.  niary    2i,      Body    slender;     dorsal    fin    dusky, 

with  a  light-yellow   submarginal   band  ;    pectorals  dusky  yellowish  ; 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  61 

ventrals  yellow  and  blackish  ;  anal  blackish,  with  pale  edge.  Young 
and  old  specimens  have  essentially  the  same  general  form,  being  in 
all  stages  more  slender  than  Seriola  dumerili.  A  food-fish  of  some 
importance,  reaching  a  weight  of  100  pounds  and  a  length  of  5  or  6 
feet."     Weight  to  100  pounds  ;  average  25  pounds. 

Caught  still  fishing,  rowboat  anchored,  without  sinker,  Tarpon  rod 
and  reel,  10$  or  Tarpon  hook,  No.  21  line,  with  wire  snood  l1/, 
feet  long,  Live  Spot,  Grunt,  Mullet  or  other  y^  to  x/2  pound 
fish.  Keep  the  bait  on  or  near  the  surface.  When  the  fish  bites, 
let  him  run  ten  or  fifteen  feet,  then  strike,  and  play  the  fish  until  he 
surrenders.  Or  trolling  from  rowboat,  sailboat  or  launch,  with  rod 
and  reel,  same  rig  as  above,  or  with  hand  line  T3^-  cotton  line  and 
squid,  a  live,  or  long  cut  dead  fish.  These  fish  are  also  grained 
by  some  of  the  guides  of  Biscayne  Bay,  and  "  Conchs  "  of  the 
Keys. 

On  quiet  days  outside  Biscayne  Bay,  around  Fowey  Rock  Light, 
leave  the  large  boat  in  rowboat,  and  fish  with  rod  and  reel  as  above. 
A  very  game  fish.     Barely  edible,  C. 

During  March,  1897,  while  I  was  at  the  Royal  Poinciana,  I  strolled 
down  to  the  pier  just  after  an  early  breakfast.  As  I  passed  through 
the  gate,  the  gate-keeper  said  to  me,  "  There  is  a  fine  school  of  Mul- 
lets about  200  feet  from  the  shore  on  the  south  side  of  the  pier."  I 
went  out  to  look  at  them,  and  there  they  were  about  75  feet  from 
the  pier,  a  round  school  of  at  least  100  feet  diameter  and  quite  solid, 
with  Barracoudas  and  Amber  Jacks  surrounding  and  making  dashes 
among  them. 

I  went  over  for  Capt.  Gardner,  who  was  on  the  "  Hillsboro  " 
in  the  lake.  We  picked  up  rods  and  went  back  to  the  pier.  The 
instant  John  saw  the  school  he  said,  "Those  are  not  Mullet,  they  are 
Bluefish  ";  and,  sure  enough,  they  were,  and  on  their  migration  north, 
the  pier  evidently  having  stopped  them.  John  said,  "  Now  is  your 
chance,  put  on  a  piece  of  Mullet,  cast  into  the  school,  a  Bluefish  is 
sure  to  take  it,  haul  him  out  of  the  school,  leave  him  there,  and  a 
Barracouda  or  Jack  is  sure  to  take  him."  I  followed  instructions,  and 
it  turned  out  just  as  John  said,  as  I  hooked  an  Amber  Jack  of  fifty 
pounds  or  so,  but  at  that  stage  the  business  had  only  commenced,  as 
the  Amber  Jack  had  something  to  say  (or  do)  about  it.  He  charged 
around,  taking  and  giving  line  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  made  a 
straight  bolt  for  the  spiles  under  us,  ran  around  one  of  them,  the  bar- 


62  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

nacles  on  the  spile  cut  my  line,  and  there  I  was  minus  fifty  feet,  or  so, 
of  line.  I  repeated  the  above  process  four  or  five  times  with  the 
same  precise  result  in  each  case,  and  had  less  than  100  feet  of  line 
left  out  of  600.  John,  of  course,  in  each  case,  would  criticise  my 
method  of  handling  the  fishes,  saying  in  some  cases,  "You  ought  to 
have  played  him  longer  ";  then,  in  the  next  case,  he  would  say,  "You 
did  not  bring  that  fish  in  quick  enough  ;  you  gave  him  too  much  line," 
etc.,  etc.  The  onlooker  always  indulges  in  that  kind  of  talk.  I 
told  John  to  just  try  it  himself,  which  he  did  with  another  rod  and 
600  feet  of  line,  and  he  came  out  of  the  fight  just  as  I  had,  with 
about  100  feet  of  line.  Of  course,  I  got  in  my  critical  work  on  him. 
Revenge  is  sweet. 

A  day  or  two  afterwards  we  had  the  same  kind  of  a  school  of  Blue- 
fish  at  the  Inlet,  a  little  inside  ;  followed  the  same  tactics,  and  I  hooked 
the  "  largest  "  Amber  Jack  I  ever  saw,  played  him  half  an  hour,  the 
hook  wore  a  hole  in  his  jaw  and  dropped  out  ten  feet  from  the  skiff. 
I  said  nothing,  of  course. 


Illustration.     Page. 

52.     "ELAGATIS    BIPINNULATUS."   Not  illustrated.    906 

Runners  ; 

Yellow-tail  Runner  ; 
Coginera. 


S3.     "TRACHUROPS   CRUMENOPHTHALMUS." 

385        911 

Goggle-eye  Runner  ; 
Goggler ; 
Big-eyed  Scad  ; 
Goggle-eye  Jack  ; 
Chicarro  ; 
Horse-eye  Jack. 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


63 


/  • 


. 


• 


k 


V:/ 


51- 


Illustration. 

388 


Page. 

921 


Hard  Tail  Runner 
Runner ; 
Jurel ; 

Yellow  Mackerel  ; 
Crevalle  ; 
Running  Jack  ; 
Dollar-fish  ; 
Tide  Runner ; 
Blue  Runner. 


D.  VIII-I,  24;  A. 
(scutes).        Body 


'CARANX  CRYSOS." 
"Head  33^  ;  depth  3^ 
II— I,  19;  lateral  line  50 
oblong,  moderately  elevated,  the  dorsal  and 
ventral  outlines  about  equally  arched  ;  profile 
forming  a  uniform  curve  ;  snout  rather  sharp  ; 
mouth  slightly  oblique,  a  little  below  axis  of 
body  ;  maxillary  reaching  about  to  middle  of 
orbit ;  teeth  comparatively  large,  a  single  series 
in  lower  jaw  ;  upper  jaw  with  an  inner  series  of  smaller  teeth  ;  no 
canines  ;  teeth  on  vomer,  palatines,  and  tongue  ;  eye  rather  small, 
shorter  than  snout,  3^  in  head;  gill  rakers  long  and  numerous; 
pectoral  as  long  as  head,  barely  reaching  anal ;  rarely  longer  than 
head  in  certain  specimens  from  Key  West,  possibly  referable  to  C. 
caballus  ;  scales  moderate  ;  cheeks  and  breast  scaly  ;  lateral  line  with 
a  weak  arch  anteriorly,  which  is  about  half  length  of  straight  portion  ; 
lateral  scutes  numerous,  developed  on  whole  straight  part  of  lateral 
line.  Greenish  olive,  golden  yellow  or  silvery  below  ;  a  black  blotch 
on  opercle  ;   fins  all  pale.     Length  1  foot  or  more." 

The  above  Runners  are  all  classed  under  the  "  family  Pampano," 
by  Jordan  &  Evermann,  among  the  Pompanos,  Crevalles,  Permits 
and  Jacks.  They  all  resemble  the  Cavalla,  Bluefish,  and  Pompanos. 
Weight  to  5  pounds;  average,  1^4  pounds. 

Caught  trolling  outside  and  inside  ;  Mackerel  squid,  spoon,  red  and 
white  rag,  or  cut  bait  ;  and  still  fishing,  bottom,  or  floating  ;  usual 
tackle  for  the  average  weight  fishes  among  the  Keys.  Usually  caught 
while  fishing  for  other  fishes.   Edible,  C.  Somewhat  better  than  Cavalla. 


64  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

While  on  the  subject  of  Runners  I  will  make  a  few  feeble  remarks. 
It  seems  to  me  the  Runners  are  hybrids  from  the  Crevalle  and  Bluefish 
species  or  families,  as  they  certainly  resemble  both  of  those  fishes. 

At  first  glance  when  I  have  caught  one  he  always  looks  like  a 
Bluefish,  but  after  examination  resembles  the  Crevalle,  and  for  this 
reason  is  called  a  "Jack"  by  the  people  where  he  is  caught. 
I  believe  that  every  time  I  have  visited  the  Keys  I  have  caught  one 
or  more  varieties  which  were  new  to  me. 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  in  Bulletin  47,  1900,  give  eighteen  species; 
Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bulletin  16,  1883,  give  none  under  the  name 
"  Runners,"  but  put  in  seven  under  their  heading  of  "  Crevalles."  As 
the  family  seems  to  be  increasing  in  variety  they  must  propagate  their 
own  species  and  also  must  intermix  with  other  fishes,  notably  with  the 
Bluefish,  Crevalle,  and  Pompano,  from  whom  they  probably  sprang. 

The  Catfishes,  Sharks,  Carps,  Suckers,  Groupers,  Parrot  fishes,  etc., 
etc.,  are  largely  increased. 

I  know  there  were  formerly  people  who  denied  the  Darwinian 
theory  of  the  origin,  differentation,  and  evolution  of  species,  using  as 
their  argument  the  statement  that  hybrids  do  not  propagate  their  own 
species,  and  stood  pat  on  our  humble  and  hard-working  friend,  the 
mule,  as  the  only  instance  they  could  cite  in  support  of  their  conten- 
tion. They  were  undoubtedly  correct  in  that  one  citation  ;  but  if 
any  people  of  that  way  of  thinking  are  left  in  the  country,  I  would 
advise  them  to  visit  the  Keys  of  Florida  and  study  the  fishes  a  little, 
and  they  will  be  convinced  the  fishes  violate  their  rules  and  explode 
their  theory.  Another  thought  occurs  to  me,  which  is  that  the  ichthy- 
ologists are  to  have  a  hard  time  in  keeping  up  with  the  fishes.  Jor- 
dan &  Gilbert  (1883)  classified  1,340  species,  and  Jordan  &  Ever- 
mann (1900)  classified  3,263  species,  thus  showing  an  increase  of 
1,923  species  during  seventeen  years. 

This  large  increase  of  about  150  per  cent,  is  partly  due,  of  course, 
to  a  closer  investigation,  and  addition  of  some  territory  not  investi- 
gated by  J.  &  G.,  but  a  larger  proportion  is  probably  due  to  finer 
lines  of  distinction  having  been  drawn  by  J.  &  E.  Where  the  first 
party  has  described  and  classified,  say,  ten,  more  or  less,  in  a  family, 
it  seems  as  though  the  latter  has,  with  the  same  fishes,  doubled  or 
trebled  the  number,  by  finer  distinctions. 

Still,  after  all  the  above  is  admitted  and  accepted  as  true,  there 
has  undoubtedly  been  a  large  actual  increase  in  species. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  65 

If  the  scientific  people  continue  to  prepare  new  classifications 
every  seventeen  years,  continuing  their  exceedingly  fine  lines  of  dis- 
tinction, and  do  not  do  something  to  check  the  hybridizing  of  the 
fishes,  the  Greek,  Latin,  and  all  the  modern  European  languages  will 
not  contain  names  enough  to  furnish  many  succeeding  classifications. 

W.  C.  Harris,  in  his  finely  illustrated  (in  colors)  "Fishes  of 
North  America,"  says:  "Nearly  6,000  varietal  forms  of  fishes  are 
either  native  or  transient  visitors  to  American  waters." 

The  above  shows  the  formidable  condition  of  affairs  the  future 
ichthyologists  have  to  face. 

On  the  above  subject  I  will  quote  from  Encyclopaedia  Britannica, 
article  Ichthyology,  Vol.  XII.,  page  664,  Scribner  edition,  1881  : 

"  Hybridism  is  another  source  of  changes  and  variations  within 
the  limits  of  a  species,  and  is  by  no  means  so  rare  as  has  been  hith- 
erto believed  ;  it  is  apparently  of  exceptional  occurrence,  merely  be- 
cause the  life  of  fishes  is  more  withdrawn  from  our  direct  observation 
than  that  of  terrestrial  animals.  It  has  been  observed  among  species 
of  serraranus,  pleuronestae,  cyprinidae,  clupedas,  and  especially  sal- 
monidae.  As  with  other  animals,  the  more  certain  kinds  of  fishes  are 
brought  under  domestication,  the  more  readily  do  they  interbreed 
with  other  allied  species.  It  is  characteristic  of  hybrids  that  their 
characters  are  very  variable,  the  degree  of  affinity  to  the  one  or  the 
other  parent  being  inconstant ;  and  as  these  hybrids  are  known 
readily  to  breed  with  either  of  the  parent  race,  the  variations  of  form, 
structure,  and  color  are  infinite."  The  contributor  of  above  article 
is  Albert  C.  L.  G.  Gunther,  M.  D.,  Ph.  D.,  F.  R.  S.,  keeper  of  the 
Zoological  Department  British  Museum. 


66  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

v: 


" 


y 


55- 


CARANX    HIPPOS." 


Illustration.     Page. 

387    920 


Cavalle ; 

Crevalle ; 

Toro; 

Horse  Crevalle 

Jack; 

JlGUAGUA  ; 

Cavally. 


"  Head  3}4  ;  depth  2%  ;  lateral  line  (scutes) 
about  30.  D.  VIII-I,  20  ;  A.  II— I,  17.  Bod) 
oblong,  the  anterior  profile  very  strongly  arched. 
Head  large  and  deep.  Mouth  large,  low ;  lower 
jaw  prominent ;  maxillary  extending  to  nearly  op- 
posite posterior  border  of  eye,  2yi  in  head. 
Teeth  in  upper  jaw  in  a  broad  villiform  band  ;  an 
outer  series  of  large,  wide-set  conical  teeth ;  teeth  of  lower  jaw  in 
one  row,  a  distinct  canine  on  each  side  of  symphysis  ;  villiform  teeth 
on  vomer,  palatines,  pterygoids,  and  tongue.  Lateral  line  with  a  wide 
arch,  its  length  \yj,  in  straight  part,  the  angle  under  fifth  dorsal  ray  ; 
plates  not  covering  all  of  straight  part.  Dorsal  spines  short,  rather 
stout ;  gill  rakers  stout,  rather  long,  15  below  angle.  Occipital 
keel  sharp.  Eye  not  very  large.  Pectoral  falcate,  i  longer  than 
head.  Breast  naked  with  only  a  small  triangular  patch  of  scales  in 
front  of  ventrals.  Caudal  lobes  equal,  nearly  as  long  as  head.  Oli- 
vaceous above ;  sides  and  below  golden ;  a  large  distinct  black 
blotch  on  opercle,  bordered  behind  with  pale  ;  a  large  faint  black 
spot  on  lower  rays  of  pectorals,  the  latter  sometimes  wanting  in 
young  ;  axil  of  pectoral  with  a  black  blotch  ;  edge  of  soft  dorsal 
black  ;  upper  edge  of  caudal  peduncle  dusky. ' '  Weight  to  20 
pounds  ;  average,  5  pounds. 

Caught :  Rod  and  reel,  18  or  21  line,  6$  hook,  still  fishing 
bottom,  or  floating.  Bait :  Live  or  cut  fish  ;  Crab,  Crawfish,  Conch, 
or  in  fact  most  any  bait.     Trolling  with  any  artificial,  live  or  cut  bait. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


67 


He  is  a  game  fish  and  gives  fine  sport.     Edible,  C.     Is  barely  an  edi- 
ble fish,  but  some  folks  like  him. 


:•>  % 


&' 


Illustration.     Page. 

56.     "SELENE   VOMER."  393  936 

"Head  3  ;  long  dorsal  rays  2  ;  pectoral 
;  2j{  ;  long  anal  rays  223  ;  depth  1^,  the 
young  much  deeper.  D.VII-I,  23  ;  A.  II— I, 
18.  Anterior  profile  from  tip  of  snout  to 
occiput  almost  perfectly  straight  in  the  adult. 
Diameter  of  eye,  length  of  opercle,  and  dis- 
tance from  eye  to  profile  about  equal ;  eye  2 
in  maxillary,   2^   in  preorbital ;  mandibles  very  deep,   the  dentary 


moonfish  ; 

Blunt-nosed  Shiner  ; 
Jorobado ; 
horsefish  ; 
Look  Down  ; 
Old  Man  of  the  Sea 
Silver  Moonfish  ; 
horsehead. 


68  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

bones  thin,  approximate;  one  or  two  of  the  dorsal  spines  greatly 
elongate  and  filamentous  in  the  young,  short  in  the  adult ;  ventrals 
variable  in  length,  usually  about  as  long  as  the  eye  in  the  adult, 
variously  elongate  in  partly  grown  specimens.  Color  uniform  silvery, 
in  the  adult.  Our  observations  of  this  species  tend  to  confirm  the 
correctness  of  Dr.  Lutken's  views  (Spolia  Atlantica,  139)  as  to 
the  transformations  incident  to  its  growth."  Weight,  30  to  40  pounds. 
I  have  known  them  caught  only  in  trolling  with  launch  near 
Towey  Rock  Light  off  Soldier  Key.  Heavy  tackle.  Barely  edible, 
C.      I  rank  him  with  the  Cavalla. 


Illustration.     Page. 

57.     "CARANX    BARTHOLOM^EI."      No  illustration.     919 

Yellow  Jack  ;  This  is  one  of  the  Jacks  of  the  Pompano  family, 

Cibi  Amarillo.  with  the  Amber  Jacks,  etc.  Weight  to  50  pounds. 
Caught  outside  trolling,  same  method  and  tackle  as  Kingfish  and  Amber 
Jack.     Edible,  C.     Barely  edible,  small  sizes. 


HlffT 


58.     "POM  ATOM  US   SALTATRIX."  400  946 

Bluefish.  "Head  3/3;  depth  4.    D.VIII-I,  25  ;  A.  II— I, 

Snap  Mackerel;  26;  scales  95.  Body  robust,  moderately  com- 
Skip  Jack  ;  pressed ;    belly  compressed    to   a   bluntish    edge. 

Fat-back.  Head  deep ;  top  of  head  and  a  ridge  on  each  side 

above  the  cheeks  naked.  Cheeks  much  longer  than  opercles.  Pec- 
torals placed  rather  low,  their  length  a  little  more  than  half  that  of 
head.  Coloration  bluish  or  greenish  above,  silvery  below ;  a  black- 
ish blotch  at  base  of  pectoral.  Length  3  feet."  Weight  to  16^ 
pounds. 


•      > 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


69 


I  saw  one  of  that  weight  caught  at  Jupiter  Inlet,  and  I  caught  one 
weighing  12^  pounds.     Average  about  3  pounds. 

Caught :  Still  fishing  on  bottom,  and  with  floating  bait.  Rod  and 
reel,  18  line,  6$  hook,  with  piano  wire  12-inch  leader,  float,  if  de- 
sired. Bait :  Menhaden,  Anchovy,  Sardine  or  other  live  Minnows,  or 
cut  bait.  Trolling  outside  and  inside,  rod  and  reel  or  hand  line, 
medium  size  block  tin  squid,  bone  squid,  red  and  white  rag  on  10$ 
hook,  or  cutbait ;  always  piano  wire  leader.  Edible,  A,  if  cooked 
few  hours  after  caught. 


, 


<** 


SS£^ 


jfc>5 


V 


X'Y 


59- 


Illustration.     Page. 

401  948 


RACHYCENTRON    CANADUS." 

"Headl^;  depth  5^3.  D.  VIII-I,  26;  A. 
II,  25.  Head  much  depressed  ;  mouth  moderate, 
the  short  maxillary  reaching  front  of  orbit.  Pector- 
als broad  and  falcate  ;  caudal  deeply  emarginate,  the 
upper  lobe  slightly  the  longer.  Lateral  line  wavy 
and  irregular,  descending  posteriorly.  Olive  brown, 
sides  with  a  distinct  broad  band  of  darker,  and  a  less 

distinct  band  above  and  below  it ;  silvery  below.      Length  5  feet. ' ' 

Weight  to  20  pounds. 

Caught :   Still  fishing,  any  bait,  15,  18  line,  5$  hook  ;  or  trolling, 

any  bait,  spoon,  phantom.      Barely  edible,  C. 


Sergeant  Fish  ; 
Crab  Eater ; 
Bonito  ; 
Snook ; 
Cobia  ; 

BrochetdeMer 
Rovalia  ; 
Robalo. 


70 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


//////ft 


'., 


"%       mm® 


~S 


.^."■^"V 


60.     "CH^NOBRYTTUS   GULOSUS." 


Illustration.     Page. 

421  992 


Warmouth  ; 
Goggle-eye. 


"  Head  2}£  to  22/3 ;  depth  2  to  2}4  ',  eye  4  to  4^. 
D.  X,  9  or  10  ;  A.  Ill,  8  or  9  ;  scales  6-40  to  46-11  or 
12  ;  37  to  42  pores  ;  6  to  8  rows  on  cheek.  Body  heavy,  deep,  more 
elongate  than  in  Lepomis ;  head  large  ;  snout  about  equal  to  eye  ; 
mouth  large,  maxillary  reaching  posterior  border  of  eye ;  opercular 
spot  about  as  large  as  eye.  Dorsal  spines  low,  longest  reaching  to 
middle  of  pupil  from  tip  of  snout ;  pectoral  not  reaching  origin  of 
anal  fin  ;  ventrals  nearly  reaching  anus,  ventral  spine  about  2  in  dis- 
tance between  origin  of  ventral  and  anus.  Gill  rakers  8  or  9  besides 
rudiments.  Dark  olive-green,  clouded  with  darker,  usually  with  red 
or  blue,  and  brassy  ;  a  dusky  spot  on  each  scale  more  or  less  distinct ; 
vertical  fins  mottled  with  dusky  ;  a  faint  spot  on  last  rays  of  dorsal, 
bordered  by  paler ;  3  oblique  dusky  or  reddish  bars  radiating  from 
eye  ;  belly  yellowish  or  brassy.      Length  8  to  10  inches." 

Fresh-water  fish.      Caught :    Same  hook,  line  and  bait  as  Large- 
Mouth  Bass.     Edible,  C. 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OE  FLORIDA. 


71 


\y 


^ 


^. 


61.     "LEPOMIS   PALLIDUS." 


Illustration.     Page. 

427        1005 


SUNFISH  ; 
Blue  Bream  ; 
Blue  Sunfish  ; 
Copper-nosed  Bream 
dollardee ; 
Blue-gill  ; 
Roach  Bream. 


"Head  3  (2^  to  ?>%)  ;  depth  2  (If  to 
2%);  eye  3^  to  4  in  head.  D.  X,  11  or  12  ; 
A.  Ill,  10  to  12  ;  scales  7-43  to  52-16  ;  40  to 
50  pores ;  5  rows  of  scales  on  cheek.  Body 
comparatively  short  and  deep,  compressed ; 
the  young  slender,  the  adult  nearly  orbicular. 
Caudal  peduncle  rather  slender.  Head  not 
large,  the  projecting  snout  usually  forming  an  angle  above  eye.  Mouth 
quite  small,  oblique,  the  jaws  about  equal,  the  maxillary  barely 
reaching  the  front  of  the  eye.  Opercular  flap  very  short  in  the  young; 
in  the  adult  rather  long  and  wide,  without  pale  edge.  Gill  rakers 
moderately  long,  nearly  terete,  bent  slightly  downward,  about  X-f-11 
to  13.  Dorsal  spines  strong  and  high,  the  longest  about  half  head, 
usually  longer  than  snout  and  eye ;  ventral  fins  reaching  anal ; 
pectorals  very  long,  usually  longer  than  head,  reaching  past  base  of 
anal  spines.  Olive  green  ;  adults  dark  ;  young  more  or  less  silvery, 
with  a  purple  luster  in  life  ;  sides  with  undulating,  often  chain-like, 
transverse  greenish  bars,  which  become  obsolete  in  the  adult ;  no 
blue  stripes  on  cheeks  ;    a  diffuse  black  blotch  at  base  of  posterior 


72 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 


rays  of  dorsal  and  anal,  often  obscure  in  young  ;  no  red  on  fins  ; 
very  old  specimens  often  with  the  belly  coppery  red.  Length,  12 
inches."     Weight  average  ^  to  ^  pound. 

Small  fresh-water  fish.  Caught :  Light  rod  and  reel,  silk  line. 
Bait :  Worms,  grasshoppers,  or  worm  out  of  top  of  rushes  or  saw 
grass.     Edible,  B. 


Sunfish  ; 

Common  Sunfish  ; 
Bream  ; 
Pumpkin  Seed  ; 

Sunny. 


62.     "  EUPOMOTIS   GIBBOSUS." 

Caught  same  as  above. 


Illustration.    Page. 

429         1009 


63. 


MICROPTERUS   SALMOIDES." 


431 


1012 


"  Head  3  to  Zyi  ;  depth  3  to  3^  ; 
eye  1^  to  2  in  snout,  5  to  6  in  head. 
D.  X,  12  or  13  ;  A.  Ill,  10  or  11 ;  scales 
7-65  to  70-18 ;  pores  58  to  67.  Body 
ovate-fusiform,  becoming  deeper  with 
age,  moderately  compressed.  Head  large. 
Mouth  very  wide,  the  maxillary  in  the  adult  reaching  beyond  the  eye, 
in  the  young  shorter.  Scales  on  the  cheek  in  about  10  rows  ;  scales 
on  the  trunk  comparatively  large  ;  tip  of  maxillary  in  adult  as  broad 
as  eye.    Lingual  teeth  sometimes  present.   Gill  rakers  longer  than  gill 


Black  Bass,  Large-Mouth 

Oswego  Bass  ; 

Green  Bass  ; 

Bayou  Bass  ; 

Otsego  Bass  ; 

Swamp  Bass. 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  73 

fringes,  X  -f-  7  or  8,  besides  rudiments.  Dorsal  fin  very  deeply 
notched,  its  fifth  spine  3%  in  head.  Coloration  dark  green  above  ; 
sides  and  below  greenish  silvery  ;  young  with  a  blackish  stripe  along 
the  sides  from  opercle  to  the  middle  of  the  caudal  fin  ;  three  dark 
oblique  stripes  across  the  cheeks  and  opercles  ;  below  and  above  the 
lateral  band  some  dark  spots  ;  caudal  fin  pale  at  base,  then  blackish, 
whitish  at  tip  ;  belly  white.  As  the  fish  grows  older  the  black  lateral 
band  breaks  up  and  grows  fainter,  and  the  color  becomes  more  and 
more  of  a  uniform  pale  dull  green,  the  back  being  darker,  a  dark 
opercular  blotch  usually  present.      Length  18  inches  or  more." 

This  name  corrupted  in  the  South  to  "Trout."  Weight  in  the 
North  to  8  pounds,  in  Florida  to  17  pounds.  Caught :  In  fresh-water 
rivers  and  creeks.  Rod  and  reel,  No.  6  or  a  smaller  silk  line,  No. 
4$  hook,  gut  snood,  or  without  snood.  Bait :  Live  Minnow,  or 
small  Bream,  or  cut  bait.  Small  worms  can  be  found  in  the  decayed 
stems  of  the  flags  or  saw  grass,  with  which  small  Bream  can  be  taken 
with  Minnow  hooks.  Troll  with  spoon,  phantom  or  bait.  They  will 
also  take  the  fly.  Red  Ibis,  Montreal,  Parmachene  Belle,  Seth  Green 
and  Brown  Hackle  are  good  as  any.     Edible,  C. 

While  on  the  "  Micropterus  Salmoides  "  subject  I  wish  to  make  a 
confession,  which  may  read  like  a  too  late  repentance  for  past  errors 
or  iniquities. 

"  Befo  de  wah,"  and  for  several  years  after,  very  many  St.  Louis 
families  spent  their  summers  at  the  lake  resorts  of  Minnesota  and 
Wisconsin,  Lake  Minnetonka  and  White  Bear  Lake  in  the  former  State, 
and  the  Oconomowoc  lakes  and  Green  Lake  in  the  latter,  being  quite 
prominent  fishing  and  family  resorts,  as  they  are  at  the  present  day. 

My  first  visit  to  White  Bear  Lake  was  in  1857,  and  I  spent  the 
summer  of  1861,  and  part  of  1862  and  1863,  there. 

I  was  at  Lake  Minnetonka  through  the  summers  of  1865  and  1866, 
at  which  time  the  only  route  to  the  lakes  was  from  Minneapolis  by 
private  conveyance,  or  stage  three  times  a  week  to  Excelsior,  the  only 
place  of  resort  on  the  lakes,  and  only  one  small  hotel,  or  boarding 
house,  there.  As  there  were  only  one  or  two  small  farms  on  the  two 
lakes,  called  Upper  and  Lower  Minnetonka,  and  possibly  100  resi- 
dents in  Excelsior,  with  the  Bass,  Pickerel,  Rock  Bass,  Crappies, 
Sunfish,  and  Perch  plenty  in  the  lakes,  it  can  be  readily  seen  the  visit- 
ing anglers  had  fine  sport. 


74  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

During  the  first  season  I  contented  myself  with  catching  the  fish 
I  needed  for  my  family  or  that  could  be  used  by  the  hotel ;  but,  as 
time  wore  on,  fishermen  came  along  who,  in  their  rivalry  and  banter 
with  each  other,  brought  in  large  lots. 

I  saw  over  500  Black  Bass  and  Pickerel  buried  on  the  shore  near 
the  hotel  many  days  in  succession.  Finally,  once  in  1865  and  once 
in  1866,  I  went  out  to  see  what  I  could  do,  and  brought  in  120  each 
day.  I  counted  only  the  Black  Bass  and  Pickerel,  all  others  having 
been  returned  to  the  water. 

All  of  the  fishes  of  the  lakes  were  of  fine  edible  quality,  as  the 
water  was  clear,  clean,  and  cold.  I  preferred  the  Sunfish,  as  they 
were  of  the  large  Blue  Gill  variety  and  would  average  three-fourths  of 
a  pound. 

White  Bear,  War  Eagle,  and  Birch  lakes,  from  1857  until  1862, 
were  nearly  as  good  as  the  Minnetonkas. 

I  first  visited  Green  Lake,  Wisconsin,  in  1870,  and  spent  many 
seasons  there,  sometimes  remaining  as  late  as  November,  the  best  Bass 
fishing  being  during  the  month  of  October.  There  nearly  all  are  the 
Small-Mouth  species,  while  at  the  Minnesota  lakes  nearly  all  are  the 
Large  Mouth.  The  catches,  however,  are  much  smaller,  twenty-five 
to  the  boat  in  the  best  of  seasons  being  a  full  average. 

From  1882  until  1889,  I  camped  from  two  to  four  months  each 
year  on  the  lines  of  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  &  Western  Railway, 
and  on  those  of  the  Northwestern  Railway,  in  northern  Wisconsin 
and  the  Northern  Peninsula  of  Michigan,  after  Brook  Trout,  Large 
and  Small-Mouth  Bass,  Pickerel  and  Mascalonge. 

My  best  ground  for  Bass  was  Lake  Gogebig,  which  I  visited  the 
first  year  the  road  was  finished  to  that  point.  There  I  saw  hundreds 
of  Small-Mouth  Bass  brought  and  buried  day  after  day,  but  I  never 
indulged  in  any  great  number.  As  I  was  in  camp  where  I  could  get 
Brook  Trout  to  eat,  I  caught  very  few  Bass. 

On  one  occasion  while  camped  with  two  friends  on  the  east  branch 
of  the  Ontanogan  River,  at  that  time  almost  a  virgin  Trout  stream,  we 
concluded  we  would  try  Duck  Lake,  which  was  the  principal  source 
of  supply  of  water  to  the  stream  we  were  on.  I  had  camped  on  the 
lake  the  year  before  and  knew  it  well.  We  went  up  to  Watersmeet, 
taking  along  three  Bond  iron  sectional  boats  and  a  fifty-four  pound 
Rushton  cedar,  and  put  them  on  the  train  at  7  A.  M.,  having  four 
guides  with  us.      We  ran   six  miles  on  the   train,  carried  the    boats 


>. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


75 


three-fourths  of  a  mile  into  the  lake,  fished  about  three  hours,  landed 
and  cooked  our  dinner,  and  were  back  at  Watersmeet  about  6  o'clock 
P.  M.  with  215  as  fine  Large-Mouth  Black  Bass  as  I  ever  saw. 

Duck  Lake  is  of  the  Lake  Superior  waters,  and  is  very  clear  and 
cold.  There  was  use  for  the  fish,  as  we  gave  them  to  the  hotel  and 
railway  men ;  so  this  can  hardly  be  called  a  "  Fish  Hog  "  story.  I 
promised  to  never  do  it  again,  and  have  kept  my  word. 


64. 


Illustration. 

EPINEPHELUS   ADSCENSIONIS."     482 


Page. 
1152 


Groupers ; 
Rock  Hind  ; 
Cabra  Mora  ; 
Polka  Dot. 


■<  4 


//>- 


"^U..., 


65.     "EPINEPHELUS   DRUMMOND-HAYI. 

Grouper  ; 
Speckled  Hind  ; 
John  Paw ; 
Polka  Dot. 


484 


1159 


66.     "EPINEPHELUS   MACULOSUS.' 

Grouper  ; 
Cabrilla ; 
Red  Hind. 


No  illustration.      1158 


76 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 


< 


Illustration.     Page. 


67.     "EPINEPHELUS   MORIO." 


485 


1160 


Grouper  ; 
Red  Grouper  ; 
Cherna  Americana 
Cherna  de  Vivero 
Negre. 


"Head  2^;  depth  2i ;  eye  large,  5  in 
head  (young).  D.  XI,  16-17  ;  A.  Ill,  9,  rarely 
III,  8  ;  scales  18  or  20-130  to  140-60 ;  pores 
60  to  65.  Body  comparatively  deep  and  com- 
pressed, highest  under  front  of  spinous  dorsal, 
its  greatest  width  2^  in  greatest  depth.  Head  large,  moderately 
pointed,  the  anterior  profile  rather  steep  and  nearly  straight.  Mouth 
rather  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  slightly  beyond  eye,  its  length 
2^  in  head.  Lower  jaw  not  strongly  projecting.  Teeth  moderate,  in 
rather  narrow  bands ;  2  moderate  canines  in  the  front  of  each  jaw, 
the  lower  smaller.  Interorbital  space  narrow,  its  width  I1/,  in  head, 
the  outline  of  the  bone  (under  the  flesh)  transversely  concave.  Nos- 
trils small,  round,  subequal.  Preopercle  moderately  seriate,  its  angle 
slightly  salient ;  teeth  at  the  angle  a  little  enlarged.  Gill  rakers 
rather  slender,  about  15  below  the  angle.  Scales  small,  mostly 
ctenoid.  Dorsal  spines  high,  slender  but  pungent,  the  first  less  than 
half  the  second,  which  is  highest  2yj  in  head;  the  outline  of  the  fin 
thence  almost  straight  to  the  tenth  spine,  which  is  1 3/£  in  the  second  ; 
soft  dorsal  not  elevated ;  caudal  fin  lunate,  the  outer  rays  a  little  pro- 
duced, Xyi  in  the  head  ;  caudal  peduncle  comparatively  slender ;  soft 
part  of  anal  rounded,  its  longest  ray  2^  in  head ;  second  anal  spine 
somewhat  stronger  but  not  longer  than  third,  4,1  in  head.  Pectorals 
reaching  slightly  beyond  tips  of  ventrals,  li  in  head  ;  ventrals  short, 
not  reaching  vent.     Pyloric  coeca  25  (according  to  Poey).      Color  in 


< 

pi 

w 

5 

p- 

H 

O 

X 

o 

Dd 

U5 

O 

< 

C/5 

Ph 

en 

« 

< 

Z 

^i 

ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  77 

life  :  Olive  gray  or  olive  brown,  clouded  with  paler  olive,  with  no 
clear  red  shades  except  on  jaws  and  lower  part  of  sides  of  head  and 
breast,  these  regions  being  usually  a  salmon  color ;  besides  these,  very 
irregular  rounded  blotches  of  grayish  white  over  the  body  ;  preorbital, 
suborbital  region,  and  snout  with  numerous  round  points  of  dark 
orange  brown,  most  numerous  on  preorbital,  these  points  brown  in 
spirits  ;  inside  of  mouth  posteriorly  bright  orange  ;  iris  gilt ;  vertical 
fins  colored  like  the  body,  the  shades  from  the  body  extending  on 
them  ;  soft  dorsal,  anal,  and  caudal  with  a  broad  ridge  of  blue  black, 
with  a  narrow  whitish  edge  ;  spinous  dorsal  narrowly  edged  with 
blackish  ;  ventrals  slightly  dusky  ;  pectorals  light  olive.  With  age  this 
species  becomes  more  and  more  of  a  flesh  red,  especially  below  and 
on  mouth,  the  pale  spots  and  blotches  are  less  distinct  in  old 
examples.     Length,  1  to  3  feet." 

Illustration.     Page. 

68.     "EPINEPHELUS   STRIATUS."  483        1157 

Grouper;  "Head  2-i  ;  depth  2f  ;   eye  rather  large,  5^ 

Nassau  Grouper  ;     in  head  (young).      D.  XI,    17;   A.    Ill,  8;  scales 

Hamlet;  13  to  18_i10  to  125-45  to  55;  pores  55  to  65. 

Cherna  Criolla  ;     „    ,  .  ,  .  , 

Body   rather  deep,    not  strongly  compressed,    its 

greatest  width  2-f  in  depth.  Head  somewhat 
pointed,  the  anterior  profile  nearly  straight  to  the  front  of  the  dorsal. 
Mouth  moderate,  the  lower  jaw  little  projecting,  the  maxillary  reach- 
ing posterior  border  of  eye,  2}i  in  head.  Teeth  in  moderate  bands  ; 
2  moderate  canines  in  front  of  each  jaw,  the  lower  smallest.  Nostrils 
close  together,  the  posterior  a  little  the  larger,  ovate.  Interorbital 
space  narrow,  flattish,  or  somewhat  concave,  8^  in  head.  Angle  of 
preopercle  slightly  salient,  a  shallow  notch  above  it,  the  teeth  at  the 
angle  somewhat  larger.  Gill  rakers  slender,  about  16  below  the  angle. 
Scales  moderate,  strongly  ctenoid.  Dorsal  spines  of  moderate  strength, 
higher  than  in  most  species,  the  second  much  higher  than  tenth,  the 
third  highest,  2^  in  head;  soft  dorsal  rather  high  ;  caudal  rounded, 
14  in  head  ;  soft  anal  rounded,  the  largest  ray  2^  in  head;  second 
anal  spine  stronger  than  third  and  about  as  long,  4  in  head  ;  pecto- 
rals reaching  tips  of  ventrals,  1|-  in  head.  Ventrals  short,  barely 
reaching  vent.  Color  in  life :  Rather  pale  olivaceous  gray,  paler 
below,  and  with  obscure  whitish  clouds  along  sides  ;  body  with  about 
4  vertical  bars,    very   irregular   and    undulating,    of  an   olive-brown 


78  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

color,  darker  on  the  back,  and  all  extending  on  the  dorsal  fin  ;  a 
square  blotch  of  jet  black  on  back  of  tail ;  a  band  of  dark  olive 
through  eye  and  on  snout,  meeting  its  fellow  on  shoulder  just  before 
dorsal ;  another  on  median  line  of  snout,  forking  opposite  front  of 
eye,  the  2  bands  extending  backward  parallel  and  ceasing  abruptly  on 
occiput  without  reaching  the  other  band  ;  dark  shades  radiating  from 
eye  below  ;  a  ring  of  deep  brown  or  blackish  points  around  eye,  the 
upper  ones  on  eye,  a  deep  orange-red  stripe  on  lower  edge  of  preor- 
bital ;  mouth  within  partly  orange  ;  lower  parts  of  head  and  breast 
tinged  with  orange  and  with  coppery  cloudings ;  vertical  fins  colored 
like  the  parts  of  the  body  nearest  them  ;  edge  of  both  dorsals  yel- 
low ;  caudal  and  anal  tipped  with  orange  yellow ;  ventrals  blackish  ; 
faintly  yellowish  at  tips  ;  pectorals  chiefly  light  orange,  dusky  at 
base  ;  bands  and  dark  markings  of  body  becoming  fainter  in  old 
examples  of  this  species,  and  almost  disappearing  in  alcoholic 
specimens." 

Illustration.    Paee. 

69.     "  MYCTEROPERCA   VENENOSA."         491       1172 
Grouper ; 
Rockfish  ; 
Yellow-finned  Grouper  ; 

BONACI    DE   PlEDRA  ; 

Dolly  Varden. 

70.     "MYCTEROPERCA    BOULENGERI."    490        1171 
Grouper  ; 

Cabrilla  de  Raizero  ; 
Mangrove  Grouper. 


Grouper ; 

Black  Grouper ; 
Bonaci  Arara  ; 
Aguaji. 


\>c 


71.     "MYCTEROPERCA   BONACI."  492        1174 

Skull  illustrated. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


72.     "  MYCTEROPERCA 


Illustration. 

MICROLEPIS."     494 


79 

Page. 

1177 


Grouper 
Gag  ; 
Aguaji. 


73-     "MYCTEROPERCA    FALCATA   PHENAX." 

494         1185 
Grouper  ;  The  Groupers  run  in  weight  from  less  than  a  pound  to 

Scamp  ;  50  or  60  pounds  ;  so  it  is  difficult  to  advise  as  to  tackle, 

Bacalao.  which  will  be  all  the  way  from  No.  9  line  to  21,  and  the 
hooks  from  2f0  to  10$.  Sportsmen  will  have  to  be  governed  by  the 
fish  where  they  are  fishing. 

As  to  bait :  The  Groupers  will  take  cut  fish,  Crawfish,  Conch, 
Crabs  of  all  kinds,  and  will  take  a  squid,  spoon  or  phantom,  trolling. 
For  the  largest  ones  on  the  "  patches  ' '  and  under  the  mangroves,  hand 
lines  must  be  used.  They  are  caught  in  large  numbers,  and  large 
sizes,  on  the  "patches"  off  the  shores  all  the  way  from  Indian 
River  to  Key  West.  The  large  ones  are  very  gamy,  but  the  small  ones 
are  somewhat  sluggish.  I  will  treat  them  further  in  detail  in  giving 
the  places  to  fish  at.  This  applies  to  all  the  Groupers  mentioned 
herein.     Edible  up  to  10  pounds,  B.     Very  good  bakers  and  boilers. 


-a*T>v. 


JEWFISH  ; 
Black  Jewfish  ; 
Black  Grouper  ; 
Mero  de  lo  Alto. 

smaller  with  age. 


74.     "GARRUPA    NIGRITA." 


486 


1161 


"  Head  2}4  ;  depth  2*/3  ;  eye  very  small,  6  to  8 
in  head.  D.  XI,  14  (nigrita),  or  X,  14  (merus); 
A.  Ill,  9  ;  scales  90  to  110.  Body  very  robust; 
teeth  in  broad  bands,  canines  strong,  but  growing 
Interorbital  width  4}i  in  head  ;  lower  jaw  project- 


80  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

ing ;  maxillary  scaly,  about  2  in  head,  extending  beyond  eye  ;  pre- 
opercle  rounded,  without  salient  angle,  the  young  with  enlarged  teeth 
at  the  angle.  Gill  rakers  short  and  thick,  X  -f  12  to  14,  the  longest  not 
twice  as  long  as  broad.  Dorsal  fin  notched  ;  second  dorsal  spine  long- 
est, its  length  2  to  3  times  in  head,  and  half  longer  than  third  spine  ; 
caudal  fin  rounded  ;  second  anal  spine  shorter  than  third,  6  in  head. 
Scales  ciliated,  those  of  lateral  line  of  the  ordinary  type.  Color,  plain 
chocolate  brown,  varying  to  blackish  gray,  without  markings,  or  with 
faint  pale  blotches,  the  lower  parts  scarcely  paler,  the  distal  part  of 
the  vertical  fins  darker;  a  dark  streak  along  edge  of  maxillary." 


,..  _  >>  ~v' 


Illustration.     Page. 

487 
75.     "PROMICROPS   GUTTATUS."  487a     1162 

487b 

Jewfish  ;  ' '  Head  2f  to  3  ;  depth  3^  ;  eye  very  small, 

Guasa;  7  in  head  (in  young),  about  12  in  adult.      D.  XI, 

Spotted  Jewfish  ;     1  6  .    A    ni>  g  .   scales  16_95  to  135.40  ;   pores  60 

to  70.  Body  more  robust  than  in  any  species  of 
Epinephelus,  its  greatest  breadth  \-/z  in  the  depth.  Head  very  large, 
unusually  broad,  anteriorly  obtuse,  its  profile  depressed  or  slightly 
concave  above  the  eye,  convex  at  the  nape.  Snout  very  short,  4^  in 
head  ;  lower  jaw  projecting.  Maxillary  scaly.  Mouth  large,  the  max- 
illary, even  in  the  young,  reaching  much  beyond  the  eye,  2  in  head, 
its  tip  in  the  adult  as  wide  as  eye.  Teeth  in  broad  bands,  those  of  the 
outer  series  somewhat  enlarged,  the  canines  very  small,  scarcely  dif- 
ferentiated, but  present.  Interorbital  area  flattish,  very  broad,  its 
width  5  in  head.  Nostrils  subequal,  roundish,  close  to  the  eye.  Pre- 
opercle  convex,  with  a  slight  emargination,  the  angle  a  little  promi- 


ON    THE  EAST   COAST   OF  FLORIDA.  81 

nent,  with  somewhat  larger  teeth.  Opercular  flap  obtusely  pointed, 
its  upper  edge  curved.  Opercular  spines  small  and  blunt.  Gill  rakers 
short  and  thick,  few  (about  12)  in  number.  Scales  comparatively 
large,  mostly  ctenoid.  Scales  of  the  lateral  line  each  with  4  to  6  con- 
spicuous radiating  ridges  separated  by  furrows.  Dorsal  spines  low  and 
strong,  the  third,  fourth,  and  fifth  subequal,  4  in  head,  the  outline  of 
the  fin  scarcely  convex  ;  second  spine  lower  than  tenth  ;  caudal  fin 
rounded,  its  outer  rays  very  much  shortened,  little  more  than  half 
the  length  of  the  middle  rays,  which  are  1^  in  head.  Anal  rounded, 
its  longest  rays  2^  in  head  ;  second  anal  spine  rather  shorter  than 
third  and  a  little  stronger,  4f  in  head;  pectorals  reaching  a  little 
beyond  tips  of  ventrals,  1 2/3  in  head  ;  ventrals  2,  not  reaching  vent. 
Pyloric  coeca  excessively  numerous  and  finely  divided.  Color  of 
adult  nearly  uniform  dull  olive  brown,  the  spots  and  bands  faint  or 
obsolete.  Young  specimens  in  life  pale  olive  green,  slightly  yellowish 
on  breast  and  lower  jaw,  the  body  with  5  cross  bars  of  dark  olive 
green,  with  irregular  but  rather  sharply  defined  edges,  and  extending 
on  the  dorsal  and  anal  fin ;  2  under  spinous  dorsal,  2  between  soft 
dorsal  and  anal,  1  on  caudal  peduncle  ;  these  bars  partially  or  wholly 
disappear  in  spirits ;  a  dark  blotch  at  nape ;  two  shades  down  and 
backward  from  eye  ;  a  bar  at  base  of  caudal ;  round  blackish  spots 
smaller  than  pupil,  of  different  sizes,  scattered  over  the  whole  of  head 
and  nuchal  region  ;  a  few  along  back  ;  these  smallest  on  upper  part 
of  head,  largest  on  back  and  lower  parts  of  sides  of  head  ;  breast  and 
belly  plain  ;  dorsal  fin  olive,  with  dark  clouds  like  the  body,  a  few 
spots  on  spines  and  tips  of  soft  rays ;  caudal  much  clouded  with 
dark,  which  form  series  of  spots  on  the  hinder  parts,  these  spots 
smallest  and  best  defined  posteriorly.  Anal  similar  to  caudal ;  pecto- 
rals light  olive,  profusely  covered  with  large  dark  spots  ;  ventrals  simi- 
lar to  pectorals,  with  fewer  spots.  Tips  of  pectorals  and  caudal  slightly 
reddish.  In  spirits  the  dark  bands  and  blotches  of  body  are  more  or 
less  faded.     Length,  2  to  6  feet." 

The  Jewfish  is  of  the  Grouper  family.  Weight  to  500  pounds  ; 
average  usually  caught  by  sportsmen  1  to  10  pounds.  Caught :  Usual 
small  sizes,  rod  and  reel,  hand  line,  same  as  Groupers,  while 
fishing  under  mangroves  for  Snappers  and  Groupers.  If  large  ones  are 
wanted,  -f\  hand  line,  shark  hook.  Bait :  Fish  *4  to  1  pound.  Fish 
where  you  have  ascertained  them  to  be,  in  channels,  under  man- 
groves, and  around  docks  and  piers,  and  on  "patches."      Edible,  B, 


82  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

up    to    5    or   6    pounds ;    very    fair   boilers,   bakers,    chowder,    etc. 
Large  ones  worthless. 

Illustration.     Paere. 

76.     "DIPLECTRUM    FORMOSUM."  502        1207 

Squirrel-fish  ;  «  Head  3  ;  depth  3f  ;   D.  X,  12  ;   A.  Ill,  7  ;  scales 

Serrano  ;  9_80  to  90_22  .  pores  54  to  60.      Body  elongate,  the 

profile  strongly  arched  above  eyes ;  mouth  large, 
lower  jaw  slightly  projecting  ;  maxillary  narrow,  reaching  middle  of 
eye,  2i  in  head  ;  canine  teeth  small ;  eye  placed  high,  shorter  than 
snout,  about  5  in  head  ;  preorbital  broad,  more  than  twice  the  width 
of  maxillary  ;  upper  part  of  margin  of  preopercle  finely  serrate  ; 
preopercle  with  two  clusters  of  divergent  spines,  the  one  at  the  angle, 
the  other  higher  (the  two  fascicles  well  separated  in  the  adult,  but 
smaller  and  coalescent  in  the  young);  distance  from  opercular  flap  to 
upper  end  of  preopercle  1  y2  in  rest  of  head  ;  opercular  flap  short  and 
sharp  ;  gill  rakers  moderate,  X  4-  14  or  15  ;  top  of  head  and  preorbi- 
tal region  naked  ;  smooth  area  on  top  of  cranium  very  convex  ;  11 
rows  of  scales  on  cheeks  ;  fins,  except  caudal,  scaleless  ;  15  scales 
before  dorsal ;  dorsal  spines  low  and  slender,  the  first  three  gradu- 
ated, the  rest  subequal  ;  caudal  deeply  lunate,  the  upper  lobe  the 
longer,  sometimes  ending  in  a  long  filament ;  anal  spines  very  weak, 
the  third  longest,  1)4  in  eye;  pectoral  1^  in  head.  Color  brown- 
ish, silvery  below  ;  sides  with  7  or  8  longitudinal  blue  lines,  bright 
blue  above,  pearly  whitish  below,  and  about  as  many  dark  cross  bars, 
the  last  bar  forming  a  large  black  blotch  at  upper  base  of  caudal ;  6 
of  these  present,  with  another  at  base  of  dorsal  ;  a  broken  median 
stripe  before  dorsal ;  stripes  on  head  bright  blue  ;  spinous  dorsal  with 
2  stripes  of  light  blue,  bordered  with  darker,  and  3  of  light  orange 
yellow ;  3  blue  stripes  and  4  yellow  ones  on  soft  dorsal ;  caudal  with 
light-blue  reticulations  around  light-orange  spots  ;  ventrals  and  anal 
bluish  white,  shaded  with  light  yellowish  ;  pectoral  transparent ;  pos- 
terior part  of  mouth  tinged  with  yellow ;  young  with  two  broad, 
dusky  longitudinal  stripes,  which  become  interrupted  with  age  ;  3  or 
4  distinct  blue  stripes  on  sides  and  top  of  head ;  2  across  preorbital, 
the  lower  forked ;  fins  with  narrow,  wavy  bars  of  blue  and  pale 
yellow." 

"Sand  Perch,"  local  name  Biscayne  Bay.      "Goat  Fish,"  local 
name  West  Coast.     Weight  up  to  ^  to  ^  pound  ;  average  less  than 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST   OF  FLORIDA.  83 

y^  pound.  I  have  caught  them  only  in  Biscayne  Bay,  on  East  Coast, 
inside  near  the  passes,  grass  or  sand  bottom,  4  to  10  feet  water, 
still,  bottom  fishing,  or  floating.  Light  tackle,  rod  and  reel,  6,  9, 
line,  No.  1,  2,  hooks.  Bait :  Cut  Mullet,  or  other  fish,  Crawfish, 
Conch.      Edible,  B,  almost  A.      Fine  pan  fish. 


"*^:H .. 


.•-"'  ■'# 


Illustration.     Page. 

77.     "PARANTHIAS    FURCIFER."  504        1221 

Rabikubia;  "Head  3^  ;  depth  3;  snout  about  4  in 

Rabirubiade  lo  Alto;  head  .  eye  about  4  D  IXj  18  to  20;  A. 
Creole  Fish.  m^  9  Qr  1Q  .  sades  12_120  to  135-35  ;   pores 

77  to  85.  Body  moderately  elongate,  strongly  compressed  ;  the 
profile  convex  and  the  snout  short,  as  in  Anthias  ;  maxillary  reaching 
to  below  middle  of  eye,  2f  in  head ;  maxillary  broadened  posteriorly, 
its  surface  scaled,  as  in  Anthias,  its  distal  extremity  ^  to  f  in  eye ; 
teeth  small,  recurved,  in  a  narrow  band  in  each  jaw,  2  to  4  straight 
canines  near  the  front  of  each  jaw  ;  preorbital  very  narrow ;  pre- 
opercle  finely  serrate,  with  salient  angle  or  enlarged  teeth  ;  gill  rakers 
long,  slender,  and  close-set,  12  -+-  20  in  number,  the  longest  ^  eye  ; 
scales  small,  closely  and  regularly  imbricated,  most  of  them  strongly 
ctenoid  ;  dorsal  fin  low,  the  spines  strong,  the  third  longest,  2l/$  in 
head  ;  soft  rays  of  dorsal  low,  scarcely  higher  than  longest  spine  ; 
anal  short,  its  longest  (second)  soft  ray  2  in  head,  its  third  spine 
longest,  2^3  in  head  ;  ventrals  narrow,  1^  in  head,  not  reaching 
vent  ;  pectorals  lanceolate,  as  long  as  head ;  humeral  scale  long. 
Color  bright  red,  or  salmon  color,  with  3  small  violet  spots,  1  on 
side  of  back  and  1  or  2  on  the  tail ;  a  bar  of  similar  color  extending 
from  upper  corner  of  pectoral  across  the  humeral  process ;  sides  with 


84 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO    CATCH  FISH 


faint  oblique  streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales  ;  dorsal  fin  with  a  longi- 
tudinal blackish  streak."      Weight,  average  ^  pound. 

Caught :    No.    6  and   9   line,    No.  10  hook.     Still  fishing.     Ed- 
ible, A. 


Illustration.     Page. 


78.     "RABIRUBIA." 

There  is  a  fish  caught  at  Ponce  Park  called  by  this  name,  which 
is  of  the  Snapper  species.  It  has  all  the  especial  features  of  the  Snap- 
pers, and  only  varies  in  being  brighter  red  than  the  Mangrove  Snapper. 


A. 


■ 

.  .«;.! :.-.«; !•».■■< ,'4\"'  ■.■:■■  <■■..-,  .. 


-.;;   ;•        «--„. 


Triple-tail 
Flasher  ; 

DORMEUR ; 

Chopa  ; 
Chofa  ; 
Stake-fish. 


79- 


LOBOTES    SURINAMENSIS." 


510 


1235 


"Head  3;  depth  14  to  2%.  D.  XII,  15;  A.  Ill, 
11  ;  scales  47.  Head  small.  Profile  from  dorsal  to 
occiput  strongly  convex,  from  occiput  to  snout  con- 
cave ;  maxillary  reaching  beyond  middle  of  orbit. 
Scales  around  eye  very  small,  those  on  opercle  large. 
Eye  small,  much  shorter  than  snout.  Preopercular 
strongly  dentate  ;  teeth  enlarged  on  angle,  hooked  upward  on  pos- 
terior limb.  Pectorals  shorter  than  ventrals,  which  do  not  reach 
vent ;  soft  dorsal  higher  than  the  spinous  portion.  Small  scales  run- 
ning up  on  the  base  of  soft  dorsal,  anal  and  caudal.  Blackish  above, 
becoming  silvery  gray  on  the  sides  ;  often  blotched  and  tinged  with 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  85 

yellow  ;  fins  dusky  gray  ;  sometimes  with  yellow.  A  large  fish  of 
rather  sluggish  habits,  reaching  a  length  of  3  feet. ' '  Weight  to  30 
pounds  ;  average  about  6  pounds. 

Caught :  Rod  and  reel,  or  hand  line,  18-21  line,  4^-6$  hook. 
Still  fishing,  bottom  and  floating,  around  docks,  bridges,  beacon 
stakes,  spiles,  etc.  Bait :  Shrimps,  Prawns  and  Crustaceans  generally, 
cut  Mullet  and  other  fish.  Edible,  A  1.  One  of  the  very  best 
edible  fish  up  to  10  pounds. 

Illustration.     Page. 

8o.     "NEOMjENIS    GRISEUS."  1255 

No  illustration.     1256 
Snappers;  "Head  2V+  ;   depth  2^  to  Z%.      D.  X,  14  ; 

Gray  Snapper;  A.  Ill,  8;  scales  (6)  7-50-12;  47  pores.     Body 

Mangrove  Snapper  ;  comparatively  elongate,  the  back  not  strongly 
compressed,  little  elevated  ;  profile  almost  straight 
from  snout  to  nape,  thence  gently  convex.  Snout 
rather  pointed,  3  in  head.  Eye  rather  small,  4^5  in  head.  Interorbi- 
tal  space  gently  convex,  6  in  head  ;  occipital  keel  little  prominent ; 
preorbital  rather  broad,  byi  to  6j4  in  head.  Mouth  large  ;  jaws  sub- 
equal  ;  maxillary  reaching  front  of  pupil,  2f  in  head  ;  upper  jaw  with 
a  narrow  band  of  villiform  teeth,  outside  of  which  is  a  single  series 
of  enlarged  teeth  ;  4  canines  in  front  of  upper  jaw,  2  of  them  quite 
large,  y§  diameter  of  eye  ;  lower  jaw  with  a  very  narrow  band  of 
villiform  teeth  in  front  of  jaw  only ;  outside  of  these  a  single  row  of 
teeth  larger  than  outer  teeth  of  upper  jaw,  becoming  canine-like  in 
adult ;  tongue  with  an  oval  patch  of  teeth,  its  width  about  j4  its 
length  ;  vomer  with  an  arrow-shaped  patch  of  teeth,  with  backward 
prolongation  on  the  median  line,  its  length  about  twice  its  width  in 
front.  Gill  rakers  rather  short  and  thick,  their  length  about  yi  diam- 
eter of  eye,  about  8  on  lower  arch,  with  no  rudimentary  ones  before 
them.  Preopercle  with  its  posterior  margin  nearly  vertical,  with  a 
rather  broad  and  deep  emargination.  Preopercle  finely  serrate  above, 
the  teeth  coarser  at  the  angle.  Scales  comparatively  large,  the  rows 
in  horizontal  series  below  the  lateral  line,  those  above  running  par- 
allel with  the  lateral  line  until  below  the  soft  dorsal,  where  they 
become  slightly  irregular  and  oblique  ;  7  rows  of  scales  on  cheek  ;  an 
embedded  row  on  interopercle  ;  one  row  on  subopercle  and  7  on 
opercle  ;    temporal    region   with    about  3  rows  of  large  scales ;  top 


86  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

of  head,  snout  and  jaws  naked  ;  base  of  soft  dorsal  and  anal  scaly  ; 
tubes  of  lateral  line  branched.  Dorsal  spines  rather  strong,  the  out- 
line of  the  fin  gently  convex,  the  fourth  spine  longest,  2j^  in  head  ; 
the  tenth  spine  4  in  head  ;  margin  of  soft  dorsal  rounded,  the  ninth 
and  tenth  rays  longest,  1^3  length  of  first,  and  1-|  last  ray,  2^  in 
head;  caudal  emarginate,  the  upper  lobe  longest,  lj4  length  of 
middle  rays,  which  are  1  ^  in  head ;  anal  fin  high,  its  margin 
slightly  angulate,  the  middle  rays  longest,  2  times  length  of  last 
ray,  2^  in  head,  first  ray  reaching  almost  to  tip  of  last  ray,  when 
the  fin  is  depressed  ;  second  anal  spine  as  long  or  slightly  longer 
and  stronger  than  third,  S}(  to  4  in  head;  ventrals  1^  in  head; 
pectorals  shortish,  scarcely  reaching  vent,  li  in  head.  Color  in 
life,  very  dark  green  above,  the  middle  part  of  each  scale  brassy- 
black,  its  edge  broadly  pearly  whitish  ;  below  lateral  line  the 
duskiness  of  the  middle  of  the  scale  passes  into  brassy,  and  below 
into  bright  coppery,  the  belly  and  lower  parts  of  head  being  more  or 
less  distinctly  bright  coppery-red ;  the  lower  jaw  grayish  ;  no  blue 
stripe  below  eye,  except  in  the  very  young  ;  top  of  head  blackish- 
olive;  dorsal  blackish,  its  margin  darker  and  tinged  with  maroon-red; 
soft  dorsal  dusky,  anteriorly  slightly  edged  with  whitish  ;  caudal  vio- 
laceous or  maroon  black  ;  anal  wine-color,  edged  with  whitish  ;  pec- 
torals pale  flesh-color  ;  ventrals  whitish,  faintly  marked  with  reddish. 
Young  with  a  blackish  band  from  snout  through  eye  to  nape,  very 
distinct  in  life  ;  a  blue  streak  below  eye  ;  spinous  dorsal  with  a  dark 
maroon-colored  band  along  edge.  Described  from  a  specimen  from 
Key  West,  11  inches  in  length.  Fishes  from  deep  water  are  much 
redder  than  those  taken  near  the  shore.  In  no  case  is  the  caudal 
yellowish  or  of  any  pale  shade." 

J.  &  E.  group  this  fish  with  the  Mangrove  Snapper.  U.  S.  Com- 
mission, 1896,  classifies  each  separate.  They  are  very  closely  allied, 
but  there  are  small  differences  in  color  and  shape.  Their  habitat  and 
habits  are  exactly  the  same.  Weight  to  14  pounds  ;  average,  3  pounds. 
Caught  :  Rod  and  reel,  still  fishing,  bottom,  No.  15-18  line,  No. 
4$,  5$,  6$,  hooks.  Occasionally  one  will  take  a  troll.  Bait :  Craw- 
fish, Mullet  or  other  fish,  Conch.  Edible,  A  1.  A  very  game  fish, 
and  my  favorite  to  eat  of  all  fishes. 


J,    « 

►H        < 

°  5 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  87 

Illustration.  Pa^e. 

81.     "MANGROVE    SNAPPER." 

In  nearly  all  respects  same  as  Gray  Snapper,  but  there  are 
slight  differences.      Caught  same  as  Gray. 

During  March,  1897,  while  at  Lake  Worth,  Capt.  Gardner  and  I 
tested  the  Mangrove  Snapper  fishing  off  the  end  of  the  pier  quite 
thoroughly.  The  water  there  is  very  clear,  so  that  you  can  see  the 
bottom  twenty  feet  down  ;  consequently,  all  the  fishes  are  exceptionally 
wary  and  shy,  and,  in  the  case  of  the  Snapper,  I  would  say  cunning. 

We  cut  Mullets  into  pieces  from  an  inch  to  two  inches  long, 
throwing  it  down  to  the  Snappers,  of  whom  there  were  probably  a 
dozen  in  sight,  some  of  them  "  whoppers  "  of  ten  or  twelve  pounds. 
They  at  first  sailed  around  the  bait,  apparently  studying  the  situa- 
tion, and,  finally,  some  would  take  it.  We  kept  this  up  for  fifteen  or 
twenty  minutes,  by  which  time  fifty  or  more  had  collected,  eating  the 
bait  well.  Then  we  put  the  same  bait  on  as  small  a  line  as  we  dared 
to,  No.  9,  4c/o  hook,  and  dropped  that  down  while  they  were  busy 
eating  our  chum,  and  "  nary  one  "  touched  it. 

We  tried  that  several  times,  always  with  the  same  result  during 
the  day.  Just  before  dark  we  could  sometimes  get  one  or  two,  but 
never  a  large  one,  about  five  pounds  being  the  largest  we  ever 
caught  there. 

While  at  Indian  Key,  in  1892,  I  asked  the  headkeeper  of  Alli- 
gator Light  if  there  were  any  Mangrove  Snappers  around  the  light. 
He  replied  yes,  but  they  were  hard  to  catch,  that  they  gathered  under 
the  lighthouse  to  eat  the  table  refuse  thrown  down,  but  if  you 
dropped  a  baited  hook  down,  they  would  look  up  at  you,  wink  their 
eyes  at  you  and  sail  away.  I  presume  this  was,  in  the  main,  true  ; 
but  in  1900  Professor  Walker  and  I  did  well  there,  some  ten  or  fifteen 
feet  distant  from  the  column  of  the  light.  It  was  quite  rough  that 
day,  which  may  have  been  in  our  favor. 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


S0 


..  i-" 


82. 


NEOM^NIS   APODUS." 


Illustration.     Page. 

515         1258 


Snapper  ;  "  Head   2%  ;  depth   2%.      D.  X,  14  ;  A.  Ill,  8  ; 

Schoolmaster;     scales   (5)    6-42  to  45-13  ;   36  pores  in  lateral  line. 
JI-  Body  comparatively  deep,    moderately  compressed, 

the  back  considerably  elevated  ;  profile  almost  straight  from  snout  to 
nape,  the  nuchal  region  rather  convex ;  snout  unusually  long  and 
pointed,  its  outline  before  eye  a  little  depressed,  its  length  2-f-  in 
head  ;  eye  moderate,  4*/3  in  head  ;  interorbital  space  flattish  or  gently 
convex,  5}4  in  head;  mouth  large,  maxillary  reaching  front  of  orbit, 
2f  in  head  ;  upper  jaw  with  a  narrow  band  of  villiform  teeth,  outside 
of  which  is  a  single  "series  of  larger  teeth  ;  4  canines  in  front  of 
upper  jaw ;  1  of  them  on  each  side  very  large,  almost  as  long  as 
pupil ;  lower  jaw  with  a  narrow  villiform  band  in  front  only,  and  an 
enlarged  series  outside,  these  largest  on  side  of  jaw,  where  some  of 
them  are  somewhat  canine-like  ;  tongue  with  a  single  large  oval  patch 
of  teeth,  its  length  more  than  twice  its  width  ;  teeth  on  vomer  form- 
ing an  arrow-shaped  patch  with  backward  prolongation  on  median 
line,  the  length  of  which  is  twice  the  width  of  the  arrow-patch  in 
front.  Gill  rakers  rather  short  and  thick,  the  longest  about  y$ 
diameter  of  eye  about  9  on  lower  part  of  arch.  Preopercle  with  its 
posterior  margin  directed  somewhat  obliquely  forward,  usually  very 
weakly  emarginate,  finely  serrate  above,  almost  entire  at  the  angle. 
Scales  large,  decidedly  larger  than  in  N.  jocu  ;  the  series  below  the 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  89 

lateral  line  almost  horizontal,  those  above  in  rows  parallel  with  the 
lateral  line,  these  becoming  more  or  less  irregular  posteriorly  and  ex- 
tending upward  and  backward  below  soft  dorsal  ;  about  7  rows  of 
scales  on  the  cheeks,  1  row  on  interopercle,  1  on  subopercle,  and  7 
on  opercle  ;  temporal  region  with  a  few  large  scales  in  about  2  rows  ; 
base  of  soft  dorsal  and  anal  scaly ;  tubes  of  lateral  line  each  with 
4  or  5  branches.  Dorsal  spines  strong,  the  outline  of  the  fin  not 
greatly  convex,  the  fourth  spine  longest,  2^3  in  head,  the  tenth  spine 
4  in  head ;  margin  of  soft  dorsal  well  rounded,  the  middle  rays 
longest ;  twice  length  of  last,  2^  in  head  ;  caudal  not  deeply  forked, 
the  upper  lobe  longest,  1  ^  length  of  middle  rays,  which  are  2  in 
head  ;  margin  of  anal  well  rounded,  its  middle  rays  twice  length  of 
last  24  in  head,  the  first  ray  reaching  about  to  middle  of  last  when 
the  fin  is  depressed  ;  anal  spines  strong,  the  second  larger  than  third, 
2>y$  in  head ;  ventrals  2  in  head ;  pectorals  reaching  to  front  ot 
anal,  lyi  in  head.  Color  of  young  in  life  greenish,  with  about  8 
very  narrow  vertical  paler  bars  on  body  ;  scales  of  lower  part  of  sides 
with  central  orange  spots,  forming  faint  streaks  along  the  rows  of 
scales  ;  belly  pearly  ;  head  greenish  ;  a  blackish  streak  from  snout 
through  eye  to  nape  ;  a  narrow,  sharply-defined  blue  stripe  below 
eye  from  snout  to  angle  of  opercle  ;  no  lateral  spot ;  spinous  dorsal 
edged  with  orange  ;  ventrals,  anal,  and  caudal  pale  orange-yellow  ; 
pectorals  paler.  The  adult  examples  differ  from  the  young  in  the 
vertical  bars  being  fainter  or  obsolete,  and  in  the  absence,  usually, 
of  the  blue  stripe  below  eye  and  the  dark  stripe  on.  temporal  region  ; 
the  soft  dorsal,  anal,  and  caudal  are  always  yellow,  of  varying  inten- 
sity, and  the  edge  of  the  spinous  dorsal  is  orange,  not  dusky  ;  the 
whitish  area  below  the  eye,  very  constant  in  JV.  jocu,  is  wanting  in 
N.  apodus." 

This  fish  is  usually  called  simply  "Schoolmaster"  by  the  resi- 
dents of  Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Keys.  Weight  to  3  pounds  ;  average, 
1  to  \y2  pounds.  Caught:  Rod  and  reel,  still  fishing,  bottom,  No. 
9-12  line,  2<f0,  Z%  hooks.      Bait :    Crawfish  best.      Edible,  A. 


90 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 


«<f^:" 


-■''       «$' 


^^ 


S3- 


Snapper ; 
Red  Snapper  ; 
Pargo  Colorado  ; 
Pargo  Guachinango 
Acara  Aya. 


"NEOM^ENIS   AYA." 
"Head  2f ;  depth  2f. 


Illustration. 

516 


Page. 

1264 


D.  X,  14  ;  A.  Ill, 
9;  scales  (7)  8-60-15;  pores  46.  Body 
rather  deep,  moderately  compressed,  the  back 
well  elevated,  profile  steep,  and  almost  straight 
from  snout  to  nape.  Snout  rather  pointed,  2-f 
in  head  ;  eye  moderate,  5^  in  head  (larger  in  young).  Interorbital 
space  angulate  or  strongly  convex,  5  in  head.  Occipital  keel  rather 
strong ;  preorbital  rather  broad,  5  in  head  \  mouth  rather  large, 
maxillary  reaching  front  of  orbit,  2^  in  head  ;  upper  jaw  with  a 
narrow  band  of  villiform  teeth,  outside  of  which  is  a  row  of  larger 
but  comparatively  small  teeth ;  4  canines  in  front,  2  (sometimes 
duplicate)  of  them  larger,  their  length  about  y$  diameter  of  eye  ; 
lower  jaw  with  a  single  row  of  rather  small  teeth,  usually  largest  on 
side  of  jaw,  where  some  of  them  are  almost  canine-like  ;  within  these 
is  a  very  narrow  band  of  villiform  teeth  in  front  of  jaw  only  ;  tongue 
with  a  broad  oval  patch  of  teeth,  scarcely  twice  as  broad  as  long  ; 
in  front  of  this  patch  is  a  small  irregular  patch  ;  vomer  with  a  broadly 
arrow-shaped  patch,  with  a  rather  short  backward  prolongation  on 
median  line,  its  length  about  equaling  width  of  patch  in  front.  Gill 
rakers  moderate,  their  length  about  j4,  diameter  of  eye,  8  on  lower 
arch.  Preopercle  with  its  posterior  margin  about  vertical,  its  emar- 
gination  deep,  its  edge  rather  finely  serrate  above,  coarser  at  the  angle, 
dentate  on  the  lower  border.     Scales  rather  large,  the  rows  horizontal 


ft 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  91 

below  lateral  line,  the  rows  above  running  backward  and  upward  ; 
6  rows  of  scales  on  cheek,  1  on  the  interopercle,  1  on  subopercle, 
and  7  on  opercle  ;  bases  of  soft  dorsal  and  anal  scaly  ;  pores  of  lateral 
line  branched  ;  temporal  region  with  a  broad  band  of  scales,  with  a 
few  scattering  ones  below  it ;  top  of  head,  snout,  and  jaws  naked. 
Dorsal  spines  rather  strong,  the  outline  of  the  fin  moderately  convex, 
the  fourth  and  fifth  spines  longest,  24  in  head,  the  tenth  spine  about  4 
in  head  ;  margin  of  soft  dorsal  nearly  straight,  the  fin  pointed  behind  ; 
the  middle  rays  little  longer  than  first  ray,  I1/,  length  of  last,  3  in 
head ;  caudal  lunate,  the  upper  lobe  scarcely  longer  than  lower,  its 
length  14  times  length  of  middle  rays,  which  are  1-^  in  head  ;  margin 
of  anal  strongly  angulate,  the  middle  rays  reaching  nearly  to  base  of 
caudal,  2^  length  of  last  ray,  14  in  head  ;  the  first  ray  reaches  about 
to  middle  of  last  ray  when  the  fin  is  depressed  ;  anal  spines  strong, 
the  second  scarcely  as  long  as  third,  4  in  head  ;  ventrals  14  in  head  ; 
pectorals  reaching  to  front  of  anal  fin,  14  in  head.  Color  in  life, 
deep  rose-red,  paler  on  throat ;  bluish  streaks  along  rows  of  scales, 
above  becoming  fainter  and  disappearing  with  age  ;  fins  brick-red  ; 
dorsal  bordered  with  orange,  with  a  narrow,  blackish  edge  ;  caudal 
narrowly  edged  with  blackish  ;  eye  red  ;  a  large  blackish  blotch  above 
lateral  line  and  below  front  rays  of  soft  dorsal  in  young  specimens, 
this  spot  disappearing  with  age  ;  axil  of  pectoral  dusky.  Length,  2 
to  iiy2  feet."     Weight,  1  pound  to  30  pounds. 

Caught  on  reefs  ten  miles  or  more  from  shore.  Rod  and  reel  or 
hand  line,  heavy  tackle.      Not  exactly  a  sport  fish.      Edible,  A  1. 

I  do  not  know  of  a  well  authenticated  specimen  of  this  fish  hav- 
ing been  caught  in  any  of  the  inside  waters,  or  within  five  miles  of 
the  shore  of  the  East  Coast  of  Florida.  The  Mutton -fish  and  the 
Hog-fish  are  sometimes  supposed  to  be  the  Red  Snappers,  but  they 
are  not  similar. 


92 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


C& 


4 


: 


i 


- 


Snapper ; 
Mutton-fish  ; 
Pargo ; 
Pargo  Criollo 


Illustration.     Page. 

84.     "NEOM^ENIS    ANALIS."  517         1265 

"  Head  2fi  \  depth  2^.  D.  X,  14  ;  A.  Ill,  8  ; 
scales  (7)  10-67-17;  pores  51.  Body  rather  deep 
and  compressed,  the  back  rather  strongly  elevated, 
profile  steep  and  nearly  straight  from  snout  to  nape  ; 
snout  rather  long  and  pointed,  2f  in  head  ;  eye  rather  small,  5-f  in 
head  in  specimens  a  foot  in  length  ;  interorbital  space  gently  convex, 
5f  in  head  ;  occipital  keel  moderate ;  preorbital  very  broad,  its  least 
width  4  in  head  ;  mouth  moderate  ;  maxillary  scarcely  reaching  front 
of  orbit,  24  in  head  ;  upper  jaw  with  a  narrow  band  of  villiform 
teeth,  outside  of  which  is  a  single  series  of  larger  but  small  teeth  ;  6 
rather  strong  canines  in  front,  4  of  them  larger,  about  equaling  in 
length  y2  diameter  of  pupil ;  lower  jaw  with  a  narrow  villiform  band 
in  front  only  and  a  series  of  larger  teeth  outside  ;  these  unequal, 
largest  on  side  of  jaw,  some  of  them  almost  canine-like  ;  tongue  with 
a  single  very  small  patch  of  teeth  on  its  middle,  this  wanting  in 
young  examples  ;  teeth  on  vomer  forming  a  broadly  A-shaped  patch, 
without  backward  prolongation  on  median  line.  Gill  rakers  moderate, 
Y?  length  of  diameter  of  eye,  about  8  on  lower  arch,  with  no  rudi- 
ments before  them.  Preopercle  with  its  posterior  margin  almost 
straight,  slanting  gently  downward  and  forward,  the  notch  broad  and 
very  shallow  ;  edge  of  preopercle  rather  coarsely  serrate,  most  so  at 
the  angle  ;  scales  small,  the  rows  almost  horizontal  below  the  lateral 
line,  running  backward  and  upward  above ;  tubes  of  lateral  line 
branched  \  about  7  rows  of  scales  on  the  cheeks  ;   1  row  on  interop- 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  93 

ercle,  1  on  subopercle,  and  about  9  on  opercle ;  temporal  region  with 
about  8  rows  of  scales,  which  become  smaller  posteriorly ;  bases  of 
soft  dorsal  and  anal  scaly.  Dorsal  spines  weak  and  slender,  the  outline 
of  the  fin  not  greatly  curved,  the  fourth  spine  longest,  273  in  head, 
the  tenth  spine  3/3  in  head  ;  margin  of  soft  dorsal  angulate,  the 
ninth  ray  longest,  twice  last  and  \y2  times  first  ray,  2  in  head;  cau- 
dal well  forked,  upper  lobe  the  longer,  If  length  of  middle  rays, 
which  are  about  "2\  in  head  ;  anal  regular,  similar  to  soft  dorsal,  the 
middle  rays  more  ^elevated  than  in  any  other  species,  longest  2^ 
length  of  last,  2  in  head  ;  first  ray  nearly  reaching  tip  of  last  when 
the  fin  is  depressed  ;  the  second  and  third  anal  spines  rather  strong, 
of  equal  length,  3^  in  head  ;  ventrals  If  in  head  ;  pectorals  reach- 
ing slightly  past  origin  of  anal,  1T3^  in  head.  Color  in  life,  dark  olive- 
green  above,  many  of  the  scales  with  pale-blue  spots,  these  forming 
irregular  oblique  streaks  upward  and  backward  ;  similar  stripes  more 
regular  and  numerous  on  caudal  peduncle  and  above  anal.  In  old  fishes 
these  blue  spots  and  streaks  disappear ;  belly  white,  strongly  tinged 
with  brick-red ;  about  6  narrow,  dusky,  vertical  bars,  a  little  broader 
than  the  interspaces  and  not  well  denned,  between  gill  opening  and 
anal ;  head  bronze-olive,  darker  above  ;  a  broad,  undulating,  pearly 
streak  from  snout  below  eye  to  upper  edge  of  gill  opening  ;  a  narrow 
blue  streak  from  eye  to  nostrils  ;  iris  fiery  red  ;  pectorals,  caudal, 
anal  and  ventrals  brick-red,  the  caudal  narrowly  margined  with  black 
and  little  bronzed  above  ;  dorsal  reddish  along  the  rays  and  tips  of 
membranes,  otherwise  yellowish ;  distinct  lateral  blotch  just  above 
the  lateral  line  and  below  the  first  soft  ray  on  dorsal,  about  as  large 
as  pupil,  smaller  than  in  other  species  similarly  marked,  and  seldom 
disappearing  with  age  ;  axil  and  bar  across  base  of  pectoral  above, 
pale  or  dusky  olive.  In  spirits  the  markings  become  fainter,  the  lat- 
eral blotch  and  the  bluish  streaks  on  head  usually  persisting." 
Weight  to  12  pounds  ;  average,  5  pounds. 

Usually  called  simply  "Mutton-fish."  Caught  in  the  channels 
and  cuts  of  Biscayne  Bay,  and  on  the  ' '  patches, ' '  to  Key  West,  with 
rod  and  reel,  line  18-21,  hooks  5-6$.  Same  bait  as  used  there  for 
other  fish.     Edible,  B. 


94  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

Illustration.     Page. 

85.     "NEOMiENIS    SYNAGRIS."      No  illustration.     1270 

Snapper;  "  Head  2f  >  dePth  2f-     D-    X,    12;  A.  Ill, 

Lane  Snapper;  8  ;   scales  (7)  8-60-15;  50  pores.     Body  oblong, 

Biajaiba  ;  compressed,  the  back  moderately  elevated,   pro- 

Red-tail  Snapper.  ^je  aimost  straight  from  snout  to  nape ;  snout 
rather  pointed,  3  in  head  ;  eye  moderate,  5  in  head  ;  interorbital 
space  gently  convex,  5^  in  head  ;  occipital  keel  little  prominent; 
preorbital  rather  broad,  4^  in  head  ;  maxillary  reaching  front  of 
orbit,  2?/|  in  head  ;  upper  jaw  with  a  narrow  band  of  villiform  teeth, 
outside  of  which  is  a  single  series  of  enlarged  teeth  ;  4  rather  small 
canines  in  front,  2  of  them  larger ;  lower  jaw  with  villiform  band  in 
front  only,  the  single  row  of  larger  teeth  nearly  equal  in  size,  none 
of  them  canines  ;  tongue  with  a  single  oval  patch,  its  length  more 
than  twice  its  width  ;  vomer  with  a  /\  or  /^-shaped  patch  of  teeth, 
without  backward  prolongation  on  median  line,  or  with  only  a  very 
slight  one.  Gill  rakers  rather  long,  their  length  slightly  more  than  y2 
diameter  of  eye,  about  5  +  9,  and  no  rudiments  before  them.  Pre- 
opercle  with  its  posterior  margin  slanting  downward  and  forward,  the 
emargination  broad  and  moderately  deep ;  preopercle  rather  finely 
serrate  above,  with  coarser  teeth  at  the  angle.  Scales  rather  small,  the 
rows  almost  horizontal  below  the  lateral  line,  above  somewhat  undu- 
late, running  upward  and  backward ;  tubes  of  lateral  line  simple  ;  6 
rows  of  scales  on  the  cheek,  1  row  on  the  interopercle,  1  on  the 
subopercle,  and  6  on  the  opercle ;  temporal  region  with  a  broad 
band  of  scales,  arranged  in  several  series  ;  base  of  soft  dorsal  and 
anal  scaly  ;  dorsal  spines  rather  weak  and  slender,  the  outline  of  the 
fin  gently  convex,  the  fourth  spine  longest,  2^  in  head,  the  tenth 
spine  3f  in  head  ;  soft  dorsal  short,  its  margin  somewhat  angulated, 
the  eighth  ray  longest,  twice  the  length  of  last  ray  and  \y2  first,  2J- 
in  head;  caudal  moderately  forked,  the  upper  lobe  the  longer,  1^ 
length  of  middle  rays,  which  are  2  in  head  ;  anal  rather  high,  rounded 
in  outline,  its  middle  rays  longest,  1^3  length  of  last  ray,  24  in  head, 
first  ray  reaching  middle  of  last  ray  when  the  fin  is  depressed,  second 
anal  spine  stronger  than  third  and  of  equal  length,  %-/z  in  head  ; 
pectorals  reaching  front  of  anal,  1  ^  in  head.  Color  in  life,  rose- 
colored,  silvery  tinged  below,  slightly  olivaceous  but  not  dark  above; 
a  large,  round,  maroon  blotch,  larger  than  eye,  just  above  lateral  line 
and  below  front  of  soft  dorsal,  always  present  ;  series   of  stripes  of 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  95 

deep  golden  yellow  along  sides  ;  3  on  head,  the  upper  from  snout 
through  eye;  about  10  on  body,  the  lower  nearly  straight  and  hori- 
zontal, the  upper  undulating  and  irregular,  extending  upward  and 
backward  ;  belly  white,  its  sides  largely  yellowish  ;  lips  red  ;  max- 
illary partly  yellow  ;  tongue  yellowish  ;  iris  fiery  red  ;  caudal  deep 
blood-red  ;  spinous  dorsal  nearly  transparent,  with  a  marginal  and 
basal  band  of  golden  ;  soft  dorsal  light  red,  edged  with  golden  ;  ven- 
trals  and  anal  golden  ;  pectorals  pinkish.  Young  quite  green  above. 
Similarly  striped  Cuban  specimens  are  generally  duller,  with  the 
yellow  stripes  decidedly  coppery.  In  spirits  the  bright  colors  fade, 
only  the  lateral  blotch  and  the  streaks  on  the  head  being  persistent. ' ' 
Resembles  the  gray,  but  brighter  colors.  Weight,  y2  to  3 
pounds.     Same  tackle  and  bait  as  Schoolmaster.      Edible,  A. 


^y~ 


•-~t><v 


\fe$ 


Illustration.     Page. 

86.  "OCYURUS  CHRYSURUS."  520    1275 

Yellow-tail;  "Head  3;  depth  3.     D.  X,  13;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales 

Rabirubia.  7—65—1 6  ;  51  pores.  Body  elliptical,  comparatively 
elongate,  the  back  little  elevated,  the  profile  straight  from  the  tip  of 
the  snout  to  the  nape,  thence  rather  strongly  arched  ;  caudal  pedun- 
cle long  and  slender ;  snout  pointed,  of  moderate  length,  3  in  head  ; 
eye  small,  5  in  head  ;  interorbital  space  very  convex,  with  a  sharp 
median  keel,  4  in  head;  preorbital  narrow,  its  least  width  62A  in 
head.  Mouth  small,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  projecting ;  maxillary 
reaching  very  slightly  beyond  front  of  orbit,  2f  in  head ;  upper  jaw 
with  a  narrow  band  of  villiform  teeth,  outside  of  which  is  a  single 


96  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW    TO    CATCH  FISH 

series  of  larger  teeth,  5  or  6  of  those  in  front  being  somewhat 
canine-like,  but  small ;  lower  jaw  with  a  single  series  of  moderately 
strong  teeth,  none  of  them  large  enough  to  be  called  canines  ;  tongue 
with  a  large,  oval  patch  of  teeth,  in  front  of  which  is  a  smaller  but 
similar  patch  ;  teeth  on  vomer  forming  a  broadly  arrow-shaped  patch, 
with  a  backward  prolongation  on  the  median  line,  which  is  nearly 
twice  the  width  of  the  patch  ;  a  narrow  band  of  pterygoid  teeth 
behind  the  patch  on  the  vomer,  this  not  evident  in  young  examples. 
Gill  rakers  rather  long  and  slender,  the  longest  about  ^  diameter  of 
eye,  about  8  -f-  21,  none  of  them  rudimentary.  Preopercle  with  its 
posterior  margin  almost  vertical,  with  a  slight,  but  distinct  emargina- 
tion  above  the  angle  ;  serrations  of  preopercle  very  feeble,  the  teeth 
at  the  angle  scarcely  enlarged  ;  nostrils  well  separated  ;  the  posterior 
slit-like  ;  scales  small,  those  above  lateral  line  arranged  in  very  oblique 
series,  those  below  in  rows  nearly  horizontal ;  cheeks  with  5  or  6  rows 
of  scales,  about  two  rows  on  interopercle  ;  temporal  region  with  2  or 
3  series  of  large  scales,  before  and  behind  which  are  many  small 
scales ;  top  of  head,  snout,  and  jaws  naked  ;  bases  of  soft  dorsal  and 
anal  scaly.  Dorsal  spines  rather  long  and  slender,  the  fin  not  deeply 
emarginate,  fifth  spine  longest,  2f  in  head;  tenth  spine  3^  ;  soft 
dorsal  and  anal  similar,  their  margins  nearly  straight,  the  last  rays 
slightly  shortened,  median  rays  about  3  in  head ;  caudal  fin  long, 
very  deeply  forked,  the  upper  lobe  longest,  3  times  as  long  as  middle 
rays,  which  are  2)4  in  head;  pectorals  long  and  slender,  reaching 
vent,  \yi  in  head  ;  ventrals  1±  in  head  ;  anal  spines  rather  weak,  the 
third  Yi  longer  than  second,  4  in  head.  Color  in  life,  olivaceous 
above,  rather  pale,  and  somewhat  violet  tinged  ;  a  number  of  large, 
irregular  deep  yellow  blotches  on  sides  of  back ;  a  deep  yellow 
stripe  from  tip  of  snout  straight  through  eye  to  caudal  peduncle, 
there  broadening  and  including  all  of  tail  above  lateral  line  and 
behind  dorsal  fin  ;  above  this  is  a  pearly-purplish  area  ;  below  it  a 
flesh-colored  or  rosy  area  or  band,  2  scales  broad,  then  a  succession 
of  about  16  narrow  streaks  alternating  flesh-color  and  yellow,  growing 
fainter  progressively  below  ;  the  yellow  on  the  edges  of  the  scales, 
the  reddish  on  their  middles ;  iris  fiery  red ;  lower  parts  of  head 
flesh-color  with  some  yellow  spots  ;  maxillary  mostly  yellow  ;  caudal 
deep  yellow,  its  edges  reddish  ;  dorsal  chiefly  yellow  ;  anal  faintly 
yellow  ;  ventrals  and  pectorals  translucent.  In  spirits,  all  the  mark- 
ings fade,  leaving  the  fins  yellowish,   the  upper   parts  grayish,   the 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


97 


lower  rosy-silvery.      Length,   2  feet."     Weight   to  3  or  4  pounds; 


average, 


pound. 


Caught:  Light  tackle,  No.  1  and  2,  or^l$  hooks,  6-9  line. 
Still  bottom  fishing  among  the  Keys.  Crawfish  and  Conch  bait ; 
around  Key  West,  Pilchard  and  Sardine  bait.  Edible,  A  1.  At  Key 
West  considered  the  best  table  fish. 


.      '■■ 


I 


£wi  v-  -A.A  *i*.  jt.-  *"» 


:- 


w 


^B 


87.     "BAIRDIELLA   CHRYSURA. 


Illustration.     Page 


566 


1433 


Yellow-tail  ; 
Mademoiselle  ; 
White  Perch. 


This  fish  is  caught  off  Sebastian  Bridge  St. 
Augustine,  Mayport,  and  at  Ponce  Park,  at  times  in 
large  numbers.  It  does  not  resemble  the  Yellow- 
tail  Rabirubia,  except  in  having  a  yellow  tail  and  some  yellow  on  the 
body.  Has  a  square  tail.  Weight,  )/%  to  %  pound.  No.  1  hook, 
No.  6  or  silk  line.      Bait  :   Cut  fish  or  Crab.      Edible,  B. 


98  WHERE,    WHEN,   A. YD   HOW    TO    CATCH  FISH 

■ 


A 


t  '•> 


88.     "H^EMULON   ALBUM." 


Illustration.     Page. 

528        1295 


Grunt;  See  Margate-fish.      Usually  called   "  Margate  - 

Margate-fish  ;  fish  "  only,  at  Key  West  and  among  the  Keys. 

Jallao  ; 
Margaret  Grunt. 


I 


/  %>A 


-*rVfyT'"'' 


---. 


;  ,-•„ 


jjMw     fi li|fH 


o^ig 


.---:- 


89.     "H^MULON    MACROSTOMUM."        529        1296 

Gray  Grunt;  <<  Head  2$  j    depth  234.      D.  XII,  16;  A.  Ill, 

Striped  Grunt,     g  .  scales  7_5\_i%  (9  aDOve  in  an  oblique  series). 
Body   oblong,    moderately  compressed,   the    anterior   profile   almost 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST   OF  FLORIDA.  99 

straight ;  snout  rather  long  and  pointed,  its  length  2y$  in  head;  eye 
large,  3f  in  head ;  mouth  rather  large,  the  maxillary  reaching  front 
of  pupil,  2±  in  head  ;  least  width  of  preorbital  about  5  in  head. 
Teeth  moderate,  the  outer  row  in  the  upper  jaw  and  the  posterior 
teeth  in  both  jaws  considerably  enlarged.  Preopercle  moderately 
serrate.  Gill  rakers  small.  Scales  moderate,  those  above  lateral  line 
not  enlarged ;  those  below  very  slightly  enlarged ;  scales  above 
arranged  in  very  oblique  series,  the  series  below  oblique  anteriorly, 
becoming  horizontal  posteriorly.  Dorsal  spines  strong,  the  longest 
2^  in  head  ;  soft  dorsal  rather  high  ;  caudal  lobes  subequal,  \yi  in 
head  ;  anal  spines  strong,  the  second  longest  and  strongest,  2fz  in 
head,  its  tip  reaching,  when  depressed,  beyond  tip  of  last  ray ;  soft 
anal  very  high,  its  free  margin  concave,  its  longest  ray  2f  in  head, 
reaching  much  beyond  tip  of  last  ray  ;  pectorals  If  in  head  ;  ventrals 
\2/z.  Color,  in  spirits,  pearly  gray,  with  conspicuous  narrow  dark 
streaks,  arranged  essentially  as  in  the  young  of  all  the  other  species 
of  Hamilton,  but  in  this  species  persistent  through  life  ;  a  median 
streak  from  tip  of  snout  to  dorsal,  1  from  snout  above  eye,  along  sides 
of  back  to  last  ray  of  soft  dorsal,  2  below  this  from  eye  above  to  last 
ray  of  soft  dorsal,  the  upper  one  more  or  less  interrupted  behind  ;  a 
fourth  streak  from  eye  nearly  straight  to  base  of  caudal ;  traces 
below  this  of  a  fifth  streak  ;  a  short  streak  from  eye  to  gill  opening, 
between  the  third  and  fourth  streaks  ;  this  is  continued  on  the  body 
in  a  series  of  irregular  marks  and  dots  ;  a  large  black  blotch  on 
opercle  under  angle  of  preopercle  ;  fins  all  dusty  olive,  the  pectorals 
palest ;  ventrals  darkest.  " 


Illustration.     Paye. 

90.     "H^EMULON    BONARIENSE."  1297 


Black  Grunt ; 
Ronco  Pkieto. 


91.     "H^MULON    PARRA."  530         1297 


Grunt  ; 

Sailor's  Choice  ; 
Ronco  Blanco  ; 
Ronco  Prieto  ; 
Bastard  Margaret. 


100 


WHERE,    WHEN',   AND  HOW   TO  CATCH  FISH 


92. 


H/EMULON    SC1URUS." 


Illustration.     Page. 

531         1303 


Yellow  Grunt;  «  Head  2%  ;    depth  2f.      D.  XII,  16  \   A.  Ill, 

Ronco  Amarillo  ;    8  .  scales   7_53_i4.     Eye  moderate,   4   in  head  ; 

Boar  Grunt.  .  .  .     ,  ~_    .      ,        ,  ,  .     . 

interorbital   space  convex,  3g   in  head  ;    preorbital 

moderate,  its  least  breadth  67^  in  head;  preopercle  finely  serrate  ; 
gill  rakers  small,  about  13  +  17.  Body  oblong;  the  back  not  spe- 
cially elevated  ;  the  profile  nearly  straight  or  slightly  concave  from 
tip  of  snout  to  before  eye,  thence  a  little  gibbous  to  base  of  dorsal ; 
snout  moderately  acute,  2)4  in  head.  Mouth  large,  the  gape  curved, 
the  maxillary  reaching  a  little  past  front  of  pupil,  its  length  2  in 
head  ;  lower  jaw  slightly  included  ;  teeth  strong  ;  upper  jaw  in  front 
with  about  3  strong  canines  on  each  side,  these  stronger  than  any  of 
the  other  teeth  ;  front  teeth  of  lower  jaw  rather  strong,  as  also  the 
antrorse  teeth  of  the  back  part  of  both  jaws.  Scales  moderate,  those 
above  lateral  line  not  at  all  enlarged,  arranged  in  oblique  series,  those 
below  in  nearly  horizontal  ones.  Dorsal  spines  rather  slender,  the 
fourth  longest,  2-f  in  head  ;  longest  soft  rays  4  ;  upper  caudal  lobe 
longer  than  lower,  \l/z  in  head;  longest  anal  rays  2^  in  head,  their 
tips,  when  depressed,  extending  beyond  the  tips  of  the  last  rays  ; 
second  anal  spine  stronger  and  longer  than  third,  21/?,  in  head,  its 
tip,  when  depressed,  reaching  past  the  middle  of  the  last  ray  ;  ven- 
trals  \y%  in  head  ;  pectorals  1 1.  Color,  in  life,  deep  brassy  yellow, 
scarcely  paler  below  or  darker  above  ;  head  and  body  with  about  12 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


101 


conspicuous  slightly  wavy,  longitudinal  stripes  of  sky-blue,  deepest 
on  the  snout,  each  with  a  very  narrow  edge  of  dusky  olive  ;  these 
stripes  on  the  head  curving  upward  below  eye,  the  first  stripe  below 
eye  forking  near  posterior  margin  of  preopercle  and  inclosing  an 
oblong  area  of  the  ground  color  ;  iris  gilt,  a  dark  spot  under  the 
angle  of  the  preopercle  ;  spinous  dorsal  edged  and  shaded  with  yel- 
lowish, its  membrane  mostly  bluish;  soft  dorsal  yellowish,  caudal 
yellowish,  broadly  dusky  at  base,  the  degree  of  this  duskiness  being 
variable  ;  mouth  deep  orange  within  ;  pectorals  pale  yellowish  ;  anal 
and  ventrals  deeper  yellowish  ;  the  young  have  more  yellow  on  fins 
and  less  on  body,  with  traces  of  a  dark  caudal  spot.  The  coloration 
becomes  fainter  in  spirits,  the  blue  lines  becoming  gray." 


■   ■       ...,:*>**  ,ixX 


3fe* 


\  ;-#' 


93- 


HiEMULON    PLUMIERI." 


Illustration.     Page. 

532         1304 


Common  Grunt  ;  Head   2fz  ;  depth  Ifz  ',  eye  small,   5   to   6  in 

Ronco  Ronco  ;  head.  D.  XII,  16  ;  A.  Ill,  8  ;  scales  5-50-17.  Body 
Ronco  Arara.  moderately  elongate,  the  back  elevated  and  some- 
what compressed  ;  head  long,  the  snout  sharp  and  projecting,  its 
length  21  in  head  ;  anterior  profile  more  or  less  S-shaped,  nearly 
straight  from  tip  of  snout  to  before  eye,  there  concave,  and  thence 
gibbous  to  the  front  of  dorsal,  old  specimens  having  the  nape  more 
gibbous  than  young  ones.     Mouth  very  large,  the  gape  curved  ;   max- 


UNTVERSTTY  OF  CATJ^ORNTA 
SANTA  BARBARA  COLLEGE  LIBRARY 


102  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

illary  reaching  to  a  little  beyond  front  of  eye,  its  length  l^j  in  head  ; 
lower  jaw  slightly  included.  Teeth  strong,  in  rather  broad  bands, 
those  of  the  outer  series  enlarged  ;  antrorse  teeth  of  posterior  part  of 
both  jaws  strong.  Interorbital  space  convex,  4  in  head  ;  preorbital 
rather  deep,  its  least  breadth  6  in  head  ;  preopercle  finely  serrate. 
Gill  rakers  small,  about  12  -f  15.  Scales  rather  large,  those  above  lat- 
eral line  anteriorly  very  much  enlarged,  arranged  in  irregular  and 
very  oblique  series,  those  below  also  oblique.  Dorsal  spines  stout,  the 
fourth  longest,  2f  in  head;  longest  soft  rays  3^4  in  head;  caudal 
lobes  subequal,  2  in  head  ;  longest  anal  rays  24  in  head,  their  tips, 
when  depressed,  about  reaching  tips  of  the  last  rays  ;  second  anal 
spine  longer  and  stronger  than  third,  2)4,  in  head,  its  tip,  when 
depressed,  at  least  reaching  middle  of  last  ray  ;  ventrals  1^  in  head ; 
pectorals  1^.  Color,  in  life,  bluish  gray,  the  base  of  the  scales  above 
bright  bronze,  tinged  with  olive  ;  bases  of  scales  below  lateral  line 
also  bronze,  this  color  forming  very  oblique  stripes,  running  upward 
and  backward  ;  anterior  region  above  lateral  line  with  3  or  4  sky-blue 
stripes,  ill-defined,  apparently  continuations  of  stripes  of  head  ;  head 
golden-bronze  with  many  narrow  stripes  of  deep  clear  blue,  as  if 
painted  on,  these  nearly  horizontal,  except  before  eye,  where  a  few 
curved  ones  cross  the  forehead  ;  also  these  lines  curve  slightly  upward 
below  eye.  Lips  dusky ;  inside  of  mouth  deep  orange,  bordered 
anteriorly  on  the  jaws  by  yellow  ;  a  greenish  bar  on  opercle  partly 
concealed  by  the  preopercle  ;  dorsals  grayish,  with  a  narrow  yellow 
edge  on  spinous  portion  ;  caudal  plain  gray  ;  anal  gray,  tinged  with 
yellow  ;  ventrals  gray,  with  a  clear  blue  luster  which  disappears  after 
death  ;  pectorals  gray,  a  dusky  bar  at  base.  There  is  considerable 
variation  in  the  depth  of  color  in  this  species.  The  young  is  similar 
to  the  adult  in  color,  but  has  traces  of  two  lateral  bands  and  a  dusky 
caudal  spot.  The  color  in  spirits  differs  only  in  the  blue  becoming 
dusky." 


Illustration.     Page. 

94.     "H^MULON    FLAVOLINEATUM."     No  illustration.     1306 
French  Grunt  ; 
Open-mouthed  Grunt  ; 
Ronco  Condenado. 


ON   THE  EAST   COAST  OE  FLORIDA. 


103 


Illustration.     Page. 


95- 

Red-mouth   Grunt  ; 
Tom  Tate; 

CAESAR. 


534 


1308 


"BATHYSTOMA    RIMATOR." 

"Head  2f  ;  depth  2§ ;  eye  rather  large, 
4^  in  head;  interorbital  space  convex,  3^  in 
head  ;  preorbital  low,  its  least  breadth  8  in  head. 
Gill  rakers  small,  about  11  +  16.  D.  XIII,  15;  A.  Ill,  8;  scales 
8-51-13.  Body  rather  elongate  but  not  fusiform,  the  back  some- 
what elevated,  the  profile  straight  or  slightly  convex  from  tip  of  snout 
to  behind  eye,  where  it  becomes  gradually  more  convex  ;  snout  short, 
rather  pointed,  about  3  in  head.  Mouth  large,  the  maxillary  reaching 
middle  of  pupil,  its  length  2  in  head.  Teeth  not  very  strong,  those 
of  the  outer  series  a  little  enlarged,  the  antrores  posterior  teeth  rather 
large.  Scales  rather  small,  those  above  lateral  line  regularly  arranged 
in  oblique  series,  the  series  below  nearly  horizontal.  Dorsal  spines 
slender  and  high,  the  fourth  2  to  2^  in  head  ;  upper  caudal  lobe  \}i 
in  head  ;  longest  anal  rays  3  in  head,  their  tips  not  reaching  tips  of 
last  rays  when  depressed  ;  second  anal  spine  but  little  longer  than 
third,  2f  in  head,  the  two  more  nearly  equal  than  usual  in  this  genus, 
their  tips,  when  depressed,  reaching  middle  of  last  ray  ;  ventrals  1^ 
in  head  ;  pectorals  1^,  their  tips  not  reaching  past  tips  of  ventrals. 
Frontal  foramina  as  in  other  species  of  the  subgenus  Bathystoma,  long 
divided  slits  in  front  of  the  supraoccipital  crest.  Color,  in  life,  silvery 
white,  slightly  bluish  above,  with  iridescent  reflections  ;  edges  of 
scales  of  body  light  yellow,  these  forming  continuous  light  yellow 
lines,  those  below  lateral  line  horizontal,  those  above   very   oblique  ; 


104  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

besides  these,  a  narrow  continuous  streak  of  light  yellow  above  lateral 
line,  from  head  to  end  of  soft  dorsal,  and  another  from  eye  to  middle 
of  caudal  ;  head  silvery-yellowish  above  ;  inside  of  mouth  red  ;  no 
black  under  preopercle  ;  traces  of  black  blotch  at  base  of  caudal ; 
fins  colorless,  the  lower  slightly  yellowish.  Young  are  light  olivaceous, 
grayish -silvery  below ;  a  dark  bronze  band,  narrower  than  pupil, 
darkest  in  the  younger  specimen  from  snout  through  eye  straight  to 
base  of  caudal ;  above  this,  2  or  3  dark  streaks,  the  middle  one  most 
distinct,  from  eye  to  above  gill  opening  ;  another,  beginning  on  top 
of  snout  on  each  side,  passing  above  eye,  and  extending  parallel  with 
the  first-mentioned  stripe  straight  to  last  ray  of  dorsal,  where  it  meets 
its  fellow  of  the  opposite  side ;  a  dark  streak  from  tip  of  snout 
along  median  line  to  front  of  dorsal ;  a  large  rounded  black  blotch  at 
base  of  caudal,  somewhat  obscure  dusky  shading  below  soft  dorsal  and 
at  base  of  pectoral ;  fins  all  plain,  upper  slightly  dusky  ;  anal  nearly 
white  ;  pectorals,  caudal,  and  ventrals  light  yellow  ;  lining  of  opercle 
plain  orange  ;  inside  of  mouth  scarlet.  In  the  large  specimen  (5^ 
inches  long)  the  dark  stripes  are  fainter,  paler,  and  more  yellowish, 
several  fainter  bands  occur  between  the  broader  ones,  and  faint  oblique 
streaks  of  light  bronze  follow  the  rows  of  scales,  those  above  lateral 
line  oblique.      In  spirits  the  adult  is  plain  silvery." 

Here  I  will  tell  a  "Grunt"  story,  in  support  of  my  statement 
that  the  fish  is  the  most  important  one  in  Key  West ;  which  story  is 
probably  a  "chestnut  "  in  Florida,  but  was  new  to  me  a  year  or  two 
ago,  and  will  probably  be  the  same  to  some  of  my  readers. 

A  New  York  family  were  spending  some  time  in  Key  West,  and 
while  there  made  the  acquaintance  of  a  family  in  which  there  was  a 
young  lady  with  whom  they  became  intimate.  They  invited  her  to 
visit  them  if  she  should  go  to  New  York.  The  next  summer  she 
went  there  with  her  father,  who  was  on  business,  and  accepted  her 
friends  invitation  to  visit  them. 

After  her  visit  she  went  to  her  father's  hotel  intending  to  make 
quite  a  stay.  But  in  a  day  or  two  called  on  her  friends  to  bid  them 
good  bye. 

They  were  surprised,  and  asked  what  the  reason  was  for  changing 
her  mind,  and  returning  to  Key  West  so  soon.  She  rather  hesitat- 
ingly said,  that  she  did  not  like  the  food  at  the  hotel,  and  that  the 
fact  really  was  that  she  wanted  to  get  back  to  Key  West  and  to  her 
"  Grits  and  Grunts." 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  105 

Since  hearing  that  story,  Capt.  John  and  I  when  asked  "What 
luck?"  very  frequently  reply,  "Oh!  plenty  of  Grits  and  Grunts." 
Under  my  description  of  Mullets,  I  have  given  the  status  of  "  Grits  " 
in  Florida. 

I  really  believe  that  the  "  Conchs  "  of  the  Keys,  and  a  great 
majority  of  the  residents  of  Key  West,  prefer  Grunts  to  any  other 
fish.  At  any  rate  very  many  boat  loads  are  sold  there  every  day  in 
the  year. 


Illustration.     Page. 

96.     "BATHYSTOMA   AUROLINEATUM."     535        1310 
Jeniguano. 


97.  "BATHYSTOMA  STRIATUM."  No  illustration.  1310 
White  Grunt.  Under  family,  "Grunters,"  J.  &  E.  have  55 
species,  and  among  them  the  Pig  Fish,  Pork  Fish,  Sailor's  Choice, 
and  Hog  Fish;  but  I  put  under  the  heading  "Grunts"  only  those 
usually  called  "Grunts,"  except  the  "  Margate-fish."  Weight  to  2 
pounds  ;    average  about  ^  to  ^  pound. 

Caught :  Rod  and  reel  or  hand  line,  No.  9-12  line,  2f0  hook, 
still  fishing,  bottom,  channels,  "patches,"  under  mangroves,  etc. 
The  Grunts  are  the  most  important  food  fishes  at  Key  West.  Bait : 
Crawfish,  Conch,  Crabs,  cut  fish.      Edible,  A. 


106  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


-% 


Illustration.     Page 

98.     "  ANISOTREMUS  VIRGINICUS."        539        1322 

Porkfish;  "  Head  Sy8  ',  depth  2T\.     D.  XII,  17  ;    A.  Ill,  10 

Catalineta.  or  11  ;  scales  11-56-17  ;  eye  4/s  ;  snout  2y2  to  3  ; 
preorbital  4  ;  maxillary  3^  ;  second  anal  spine  2^ ;  third  dorsal 
spine  2^;  pectoral  fa;  gill  rakers  7  +  16.  Body  ovate,  the  back 
very  much  elevated,  the  anterior  profile  steep,  slightly  convex  along 
snout  and  over  eye,  very  much  arched  at  nape ;  mouth  small,  the 
maxillary  extending  to  anterior  nostril ;  jaws  subequal  ;  outer  row  of 
teeth  enlarged  ;  about  6  gill  rakers  besides  rudiments,  below  angle  ; 
dorsal  fin  low,  emarginate,  spines  slender,  the  highest  about  equal  in 
length  to  second  anal  spine,  which  is  less  than  j4  head ;  caudal 
forked.  Oblique  bar  from  nape  through  eye,  and  vertical  bar  down- 
ward from  dorsal,  jet  black  ;  space  before  anterior  bar  deep  yellow  ; 
interspace  between  bars  pearly  gray,  with  yellow  spots,  the  spots  con- 
fluent above  into  a  yellow  area  ;  ground  color  of  body  plain  pearly 
gray,  with  about  7  deep  yellow  longitudinal  stripes  ;  the  pearly  inter- 
space not  edged  with  darker  and  not  distinctly  blue  ;  all  the  fins 
deep  yellow  ;  iris  gilt  gray.  A  very  young  specimen  showed  the  fol- 
lowing coloration  in  life  :  pale  anterior  region,  from  lower  jaw  and 
temporal  region  to  spinous  dorsal  bright  yellow  ;  spinous  dorsal  ven- 
trals,  and   front  of  anal  deep  golden  ;  other  fins  pale;  a  large  round 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


107 


jet  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal ;  a  dark  band  from  front  of  spinous 
dorsal  downward,  and  2  black  stripes  along  sides,  one  from  nape  to 
last  ray  of  dorsal  and  one  from  the  eye  nearly  to  the  caudal  spot." 
Weight  to  2  pounds  ;  average,  V^  pound. 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  fishes  of  the  Keys.      Caught  same  as 
other  medium  and  small  bottom  fishes  among  the  Keys.    Edible,  A  1. 


-"      ,. 


"5>5» 


^~- 


s 


'    \s- 


99. 


ORTHOPRISTIS  CHRYSOPTERUS."    541 


Illustration.     Page. 

1338 


PlGFISH  ; 

Sailor's  Choice  ; 
Hogfish. 


"  Head  3}£  ;  depth  2#.  D.  XII  or  XIII,  16  ; 
A.  Ill,  12  or  13;  scales  10-60-19;  maxillary 
S}i  ;  eye  5  in  head  ;  preorbital  3f  ;  pectoral  1  %  ; 
snout  2| ;  highest  dorsal  spine  2^6  ;  second  anal  spine  5j4  ',  longest 
anal  ray  3;  base  soft,  dorsal  in  spinous  1%\  Body  ovate-elliptical, 
somewhat  elevated  at  shoulders,  considerably  compressed.  Snout  long 
and  sharp,  jaws  equal,  each  with  a  narrow  band  of  slender  teeth,  the 
outer  above  a  little  larger ;  maxillary  not  reaching  to  eye  ;  preopercle 
very  slightly  serrate  above,  the  serrate  blunt,  obsolete  below ;  gill 
rakers  short  and  slender,  7-f  12.  The  crown,  cheeks,  and  pieces  of  the 
gill  cover  covered  with  small  scales  ;  snout  in  advance  of  the  nostrils, 
suborbitals,  and  lower  jaw  naked  ;  dorsal  and  anal  spines  inclosed  in  a 
deep  scaly  sheath,  the  soft  rays  naked.  Outline  of  dorsal  very  slightly 
notched  ;    anal   rather  high,  second  anal  spine    shorter  than  third  ; 


108  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

pectoral  shortish,  reaching  past  tips  of  ventrals  ;  caudal  well  forked, 
the  upper  lobe  the  longer.  Pyloric  cseca  6.  Color,  in  life,  light  blue 
above,  shading  gradually  into  silvery  below ;  preorbital  and  snout  of 
a  clear 'sky-blue  ;  a  dash  of  blue  on  each  side  of  upper  lip  ;  each  scale 
on  body  with  a  blue  center,  the  edge  with  a  bronze  spot,  these  form- 
ing on  back  and  sides  very  distinct  orange-brown  stripes  along  the 
rows  of  scales,  those  above  the  lateral  line  extending  obliquely  up- 
ward and  backward,  those  below  being  nearly  horizontal ;  snout  with 
bronze  spots ;  1  or  2  cross  lines  connecting  front  of  orbits ;  2  or  3 
oblique  lines  on  preorbital,  besides  numerous  bronze  spots  larger  than 
those  on  the  body  ;  preorbital  also  with  dusky  shades,  one  of  which 
extends  on  upper  lip  ;  cheeks  and  opercles  with  distinct  bronze  spots, 
larger  than  those  on  body  ;  inside  of  mouth  pale  ;  inside  of  gill  cavity 
tinged  with  golden;  dorsal  translucent,  with  about  3  bronze  longi- 
tudinal shades,  composed  of  spots,  those  of  soft  dorsal  most  distinctly 
spot-like  ;  edge  of  fin  dusky  ;  caudal  plain,  yellowish  at  base,  dusky 
toward  the  tip;  anal  whitish,  its  edge  dusky,  its  base  shaded  with 
bronze ;  pectorals  and  ventrals  yellowish,  the  latter  darker  at  tip. 
Fresh  specimens  show  no  trace  of  vertical  bands.  In  examples  pre- 
served in  alcohol  the  yellowish  and  blue  markings  gradually  disappear 
and  dark  cross  shades  become  apparent.  A  specimen  5  years  in  alco- 
hol shows  the  following  coloration  :  Silver-gray,  with  faint  streaks 
along  the  rows  of  scales  ;  a  distinct  narrow  dusky  band  from  front  of 
spinous  dorsal  through  base  of  pectorals  ;  behind  this  7  or  8  cloudy, 
obscure  bands,  alternately  broad  and  narrow  ;  a  horizontal  dusky 
shade  behind  eye  ;  spinous  dorsal  with  a  faint  medium  pale  shade  ; 
soft  dorsal  with  3  rows  of  faint  spots  ;  other  fins  nearly  plain.  Length, 
12  to  15  inches."  Weight  to  2  pounds;  average,  y±  pound. 
Caught :    Same  as  Pinfish.      Edible,  A. 

Illustration.     Page. 

ioo.     "STENOTOMUS   CHRYSOPS."  544        1346 

Porgy;  '-Head  3*4;  depth  2TV     D.  XII,   12;  A.  Ill, 

Common  Scup;  n  .  gcales  8_5Q_16  ;  snout  short,  2j4  in  head;  eye 
small,  narrower  than  preorbital,  4  to  4^  in  head  ; 
fourth  dorsal  spine  2,  third  anal  spine  the  longest,  3.  Body  ovate- 
elliptical,  the  depth  about  the  same  from  the  first  dorsal  spine  to  the 
eleventh  ;  anterior  profile  steep,  nape  convex,  a  strong  depression 
above  and  in  front  of  eye,  straightish  over  snout  ;   pectoral  less  than 


ON   THE   EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


109 


head,  about  3^  in  body,  extending  to  first  anal  spine  ;  a  scaly  sheath 
very  conspicuous  at  base  of  soft  dorsal  and  anal  fins ;  temporal  crest 
obsolete;  supraoccipital  crest  continuous  with  the  frontal  bones; 
incisor  teeth  very  narrow,  almost  conical  in  appearance  ;  molars  in 
2  rows  above  ;  gill  rakers  small,  about  6  +  10  ;  top  of  head,  snout, 
orbitals,  and  chin  naked  ;  scales  on  cheek  extending  from  upper  mar- 
gin of  eye,  the  anterior  row  composed  of  from  15  to  20  scales  ;  caudal 
fin  forked,  the  middle  ray  about  2^  in  longest  ray.  Color  brownish, 
somewhat  silvery  below,  everywhere  with  bright  reflections,  but  with- 
out distinct  markings  in  the  adult  ;  soft  parts  of  vertical  fins  mottled 
with  dark  in  adult;  young  faintly  barred;  axil  dusky.  Length 
about  a  foot." 


"f'iV. 


>1: -''■■■'-■: '■■'■:'■& :^:^,„     ■  •' 


- 


g 


STENOTOMUS   ACULEATUS." 


Illustration.     Page. 

545        1346 


IOI. 

Southern  Porgy.  «  Read  3  ;  depth  2f  D.  XII,  12  ;  A.  Ill,  11  ; 
scales  8-54-15.  Body  elongate-ovate,  the  depth  gradually  decreas- 
ing from  first  dorsal  spine  to  caudal  peduncle  ;  anterior  profile  not 
steep,  nape  slightly  convex,  a  slight  depression  above  and  behind  eye, 
convex  over  snout ;  pectoral  about  as  long  as  head,  3i  in  body ; 
scaly  sheath  at  base  of  soft  dorsal  and  anal  inconspicuous  ;    snout 


110 


WHERE,    II7/E.Y,   AND    HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 


long  and  pointed,  2  in  head  ;  eye  large,  less  than  width  of  preorbital, 
about  3^  in  head;  interorbital  area  very  convex  ;  6  strong  conical 
teeth  in  front  of  upper  jaw  and  8  in  lower  ;  molar  teeth  coarser  and 
larger  than  in  S.  chrysops  ;  scales  on  cheek  reaching  to  top  of  eye, 
the  upper  rows  less  distinct  than  the  lower,  the  anterior  row  of  about 
20  scales  ;  caudal  fin  moderately  forked,  the  middle  ray  about  2}£  in 
longest  ray.  First  dorsal  spine  as  long  as  eye,  the  second  about  as  long 
as  third,  which  is  about  2  in  head  ;  temporal  crest  obsolete  ;  frontal 
bones  not  gibbous  or  porous  ;  antrorse  spine  attached  to  the  fourth 
interneural  by  a  downward  projecting  spur  about  twice  as  long  as  the 
spine.  Color  nearly  plain  dull  silvery,  with  golden  longitudinal 
streaks,  following  the  rows  of  scales  ;  axil  dusky  ;   ventrals  dark." 


^<5V 


">~ 


102.     "CALAMUS    CALAMUS." 

PORGY  ; 

Saucer-eye  Porgy  ; 
Fez   de  Pluma. 

103.     "CALAMUS   PRORIDENS." 
Little-head  Porgy  ; 
Pkx  de  Pluma. 


Illustration.     Paee. 

546        1349 


547         1350 


104.     "CALAMUS    BAJONADO." 


Jolt-head  Porgy  ; 

IJ.VJONADO. 


548        1352 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


CALAMUS   PENNA." 


Ill 

Illustration.     Page 

549         1354 


105. 

Little-mouth    Pokgy  ;  "Head    3    to    S}(  ;     depth    2%    (2%   in 

Sheepshead  Pokgy.  total);   eye  rather  small,   3^  to  -iyi  in  head 

in  specimens  from  6  to  11  inches  long.  D.  XII,  12;  A.  Ill,  10; 
scales  6-48-13.  Body  somewhat  higher  than  in  C.  bajonado. 
Anterior  profile  evenly  convex  to  front  of  dorsal,  rising  slowly  and 
not  strongly  arched.  Preorbital  low,  2f  to  3  in  head,  about  equaling 
interorbital  width.  Mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  scarcely  reaching 
vertical  from  front  of  orbit,  21/.  to  2^3  in  head.  Outer  series  of  teeth 
anteriorly  in  both  jaws  somewhat  enlarged,  small  and  uniform  in  size, 
8  to  10  in  each  jaw  ;  no  accessory  row  of  molars  in  either  jaw.  Dor- 
sal low,  the  highest  dorsal  spine  about  2y'i  in  head  ;  pectorals  about 
reaching  vertical  from  front  of  anal,  3^  in  length  ;  ventrals  1^  to 
2  in  head.  Scales  large,  in  about  5  vertical  series  on  cheeks.  Color, 
dull  silvery  with  pearly  markings,  without  blue  stripes  ;  a  faint  pale 
streak  below  eye  ;  axil  with  a  small  inky  black  spot ;  ventrals  black- 
ish ;  dark  crossbars  on  body  usually  persistent. ' ' 


/  u> 


106.     "CALAMUS   ARCTIFRONS." 


Grass  Pokgy  ; 
Shad  Pokgy. 


550         1355 


112  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW    TO   CATCH  FISH 

Illustration.     Page. 

107.     "PAGRUS   PAGRUS."  551        1356 

Red  Porgy;  "  D-    XI>    12>    or   XII>    n    or    10  J    A.   Ill,  8; 

Besugo  ;  scales    6  (9)  -53   to   56-13.     Body    oblong,    the 

Pargo  Colorado,  back  moderately  elevated,  the  profile  parabolic  ; 
preorbital  deep,  much  wider  than  the  small  eye.  Molar  teeth  in  two 
series  ;  teeth  behind  the  canines  slended  ;  scales  large.  Dorsal  spines 
not  elongate,  the  front  longest,  about  iy2  in  head;  soft  dorsal  and 
anal  pointed  behind  ;  caudal  well  forked  ;  second  anal  spine  stronger 
but  not  longer  than  third,  about  4  in  head  ;  pectoral  fin  elongate, 
longer  than  head,  reaching  about  to  fourth  soft  ray  of  anal.  Ameri- 
can specimens  show  in  life  the  following  coloration  :  Color,  golden 
olive,  the  middle  of  each  scale  largely  pinkish-red,  giving  a  general 
reddish  hue  to  the  fish  ;  sides  and  below  silvery,  flushed  with  red  ; 
many  scales  of  back  and  sides  each  with  a  small  round  spot  of  deep 
purplish-blue,  those  forming  distinct  longitudinal  streaks  on  the  sides 
below  lateral  line,  the  series  somewhat  irregular,  running  along  the 
margins  of  the  scales  ;  above  the  lateral  line  these  spots  are  somewhat 
scattered,  forming  very  irregular  oblique  series,  running  upward  and 
backward  ;  a  few  of  these  spots  on  nape  and  upper  part  of  opercle  ; 
a  dark  spot  on  upper  part  of  orbital  rim ;  snout  tinged  with  purplish, 
occiput  with  olive ;  edge  of  opercle  dusky ;  vertical  fins  largely 
orange,  their  edges  translucent ;  spinous  dorsal  somewhat  dusky ; 
ventrals  pale,  with  a  pinkish  blotch  at  base ;  pectorals  yellowish, 
especially  at  base,  the  axil  somewhat  dusky.  Length,  2  feet." 
Weight  to  3  or  4  pounds ;  average  about  fy  pound. 

All  Porgies  caught  same  as  other  small   bottom   fish  among  the 
Keys.      Edible,  A.      Some  of  them  A  1. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


113 


Bream  (salt  water)  ; 
Pinkish  ; 
Sailor's  Choice  ; 
Chopa  Spina. 


109.     "LAGODON  RHOMBOIDES." 

"Head  Z\\    depth  2  to  2 


Illustration. 

552 


Page. 

1358 


/3   > 


eye  4.  D. 
XII,  11;  A.  Ill,  11;  scales  10-65  to  70-17. 
Body  elongate,  elliptical  ;  head  flattened,  muz- 
zle pointed,  profile  not  very  steep ;  eye  moder- 
ate ;  \yi  to  \y2  snout;  1  in  interorbital ;  mouth  moderate,  maxil- 
lary not  reaching  front  of  orbit,  3^3  in  head ;  incisors  -},  all  deeply 
notched  ;  molars  in  two  series  in  each  jaw  ;  gill  rakers  6  +  13  ;  dorsal 
spines  all  rather  high,  the  highest  about  2  in  head  ;  caudal  deeply 
forked  ;  second  anal  spine  not  longer  than  third  ;  ventrals  short  and 
broad,  pectorals  moderate,  upper  rays  reaching  past  origin  of  anal. 
Color,  in  life,  olivacious,  the  sides  bluish  silvery  ;  a  humeral  spot 
and  traces  of  6  vertical  bars;  gilt  stripes  much  less  intense  than  in 
Archosargus  unimaculatus ,  much  broader  than  the  interspaces ;  about 
7  stripes  below  the  lateral  line,  those  above  it  more  or  less  confluent ; 
dorsal  fin  pale  bluish,  with  a  submedian  gilt  band  and  a  gilt  edging  ; 
caudal  yellow,  faintly  barred  ;  anal  bluish,  with  a  medium  yellowish 
band  ;  ventrals  mesially  yellowish ;  pectorals  plain.  Length,  6 
inches. ' '      Weight,  2  pounds  ;    average,  %  pound. 

Caught  in  Halifax  and  Indian  Rivers,  Lake  Worth  Inlet,  Biscayne 
Bay,  and  all  the  way  to  Key  West,  in  the  passes,  channels  and  cuts, 
with  rod  and  reel,  or  hand  line,  No.   6  or  9  line,  No.  1$,  2$,  to  3$ 


114 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


hook,   still   fishing  on   bottom.      Bait :    Crawfish,  where  obtainable, 
Crab,  Conch,  cut  fish,  Mullet  preferred.      Edible,  B. 

Illustration.     Page. 

no.      BREAM  (SALT  WATER). 

I  have  caught  fish  at  Key  West,  called  there  "Salt-water  Bream," 
and  simply  "Bream,"  which  were  entirely  different  from  No.  552, 
in  that  they  were  striped  yellow  and  red,  but  about  the  shape  of  No. 
552  illustration.  Weight,  bait  and  method  of  catching  same  as 
other  small  fish  among  Keys.      Crawfish  best.      Edible,  B. 


':  4U 


X 


in.     "ARCHOSARGUS  UNIMACULATIS."     553        1359 

Sheepshead  ;  Said  to  be  on  Florida  coast.      Have    never   seen 

Salema.  them. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


115 


Illustration.     Page. 

112.  "ARCHOSARGUS  PROBATOCEPHALUS."   554    1361 

Sheepshead  ;  "Head  3}4  ;    depth  2  to2}£  ;    eye  large,  3^3  to 

Sargo  Raiado.  4  __  preorbital,  or  1  }i  to  >^  in  interorbital  width. 
D.  XIII,  10  ;  A.  Ill,  10  or  11  ;  scales  8  or  9-45  to  50-14  to  16. 
Body  rather  deep  and  compressed,  profile  rounded,  steep ;  mouth 
moderate,  maxillary  not  reaching  front  of  orbit,  3  to  3^§  in  head  ; 
occipital  crest  rather  thin,  its  honeycomb  structure  not  exposed. 
Incisors  ^  on  each  side,  entire,  or  with  a  shallow  notch  ;  molars 
3-rowed  above,  2-rowed  below  ;  gill  rakers  small,  about  6  +  8 ;  cheeks 
with  5  rows  of  scales.  Fifth  dorsal  spine  highest,  2  to  2}4  in  head  ; 
second  anal  spine  strong,  recurved,  2  to  2*4  in  head  ;  pectorals  long, 
reaching  to  anal  spines,  about  2^  in  body,  ventrals  moderate,  \y2 
to  4f  in  length  of  body,  not  nearly  reaching  vent.  Color, 
olivaceous,  silvery  below,  the  upper  parts  with  golden  longitudinal 
stripes  alternating  with  bluish  interspaces ;  a  black  humeral  spot 
larger  than  eye. ' '  Weight  to  15  pounds  ;  average  about  3  to  4  pounds. 
Caught :  Rod  and  reel,  still,  bottom  fishing,  18-21  line,  sinker 
in  weight  according  to  tide,  Virginia  hook.  Bait :  Fiddlers,  Oys- 
ter Crab,  cut  Sea  Crab  and  other  Crustacea  bait.      Edible,  B. 


116  WHERE,    WHEN,   AND   HOW    TO    CATCH   FISH 

Illustration.     Page. 

113.     "DIPLODUS   HOLBROOKII."  555        1362 

Sheepshead,  Holbrook.        The  Sheepshead  run  in  weight  to  15  pounds; 

average,    3  to  4  pounds.      Caught :    Rod  and 

reel  or  hand  line,  18—21   line,  sinker,  fish  on  bottom,  Virginia  hook. 

Bait :  Fiddlers,  Sea  Crab,  Oyster  Crab,  or  other  Crustacea.    Edible,  B. 


114.     "GERRES   OLISTHOSTOMUS."      557  1376 

Irish  Pompano  ;  "Head  3;  depth  2.      D.    IX,    10;    A.  Ill,  8; 

Mutton-fish.  scales   5_37_9i      Body  rhomboid,   short   and   deep, 

the  back  elevated,  the  anterior  profile  short  and  very  steep ;  mouth 
rather  large  ;  teeth  slender,  brush-like  ;  preorbital  entire  ;  preopercle 
and  interopercle  serrate  ;  groove  on  top  of  head,  for  reception  of 
premaxillaries,  broad,  rounded  behind,  with  a  median  linear  depres- 
sion, its  surface  completely  covered  with  small  deciduous  scales  which 
extend  forward  to  just  behind  nostrils.  Eye  moderate.  Gill  rakers 
small,  about  14  on  lower  part  of  arch.  Dorsal  spines  high  and  strong, 
the  second  nearly  or  quite  as  long  as  head  ;  second  anal  spine  very 
strong,  ]/?  or  more  length  of  head  ;  third  spine  slightly  longer  than 
second  and  very  slender  ;  caudal  lobes  long  and  slender,  a  little 
longer  than  head  ;  pectoral  long,  nearly  as  long  as  head,  reaching 
front  of  anal.  Color,  silvery  olivaceous ;  scales  with  faint  silvery 
streaks,  but  no  dark  ones  ;  fins  mostly  pale  or  yellowish,  the  ventrals 
somewhat  dusky.      Length,  12  inches." 

J.  &  E.  have,  on  page  392,  U.  S.  Commission,  1895,  "Irish 
Pompano  "  or  "  Mutton  Fish  "  ;  and  Goode  &  Beane,  U.  S.  Com- 
mission, 1896,  page  245,  report  in  Indian  River  "Irish  Pompano  " 
or  "Mutton  Fish."  Gardner  has  caught  the  fish  in  Indian  River, 
and  it  is  different  from  the  Mutton -fish  of  the  Keys. 

Caught  while  fishing  for  other  fish.     Edible,  C. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


117 


KYPHOSUS   SECTATRIX." 


Illustration.     Pasre. 

559         1387 


US 

Chub  (salt  water);  "Head   3^;   depth   2/8.      D.  XI,  12;   A. 

Rudder-fish  ;  HI,  H  ;   scales   10-55-16  ;    vertebrae   9    +  16. 

Bermuda  Chub ;  „     .  .  .        . 

„  „  Body    ovate,    somewhat    compressed  ;     longest 

dorsal  spine  i  the  height  of  body,  rather  higher 

than  soft  dorsal  and  nearly  equal  to   longest  ray  of  anal  ;  teeth  35  to 

40  on  each  side  ;  horizontal   process  of  the  teeth  not  much  longer 

than  the  vertical ;  interorbital  space  2^  in  head;  top  and  sides  of 

head  finely  scaled  ;  interorbital   region   gibbous,  below  which  point 

the  snout  is  truncate  ;  preopercle  weakly  serrulate  ;  gill   rakers  long  ; 

soft  dorsal  and  anal  very  low  ;  the  longest  ray  of  anal  2^  in  head, 

longest  spine  2^  ;  median  dorsal  spines  highest ;  second  anal  spine 

highest ;  caudal  well  forked,  the  lower  lobe  longer.      Color,  in  life, 

steel  gray,  very  slightly  bluish,  not  much   paler  below  ;   the  edges  of 

each  row  of  scales  on  back  and  sides  slightly  brassy,  so  that  very  faint 

yellowish  stripes  alternate  with  bluish  ones  of  about  equal  width  ;  a 

diffuse  pale  stripe  below  eye,  a  yellowish  one  above  and  below  this  ; 

fins  all   dull  grayish  ;  ventrals  and  anal  somewhat  blackish  ;    edge  of 

opercle  slightly  darker. ' '  Weight  to  9  pounds  ;  average,  3  to  4  pounds. 

Caught :    Still   fishing,  bottom,  in  channels,  passes  and  cuts.     Rod 

and  reel,  9  to  15  line,  2'i  to  Ac/0  hooks.      Edible,  B. 


n6. 

Sea  Trout  ; 
Common  Weakfish  ; 
Squeteague. 


CYNOSCION  REGALIS." 


562 


1407 


Said  to   be  on  the  coast,  but  I  have  not  seen 
them. 


118 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND    HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


:,:  & 


117 

Sea  Trout  ; 
Spotted  Sea  Trout 
Spotted  Weakfish. 


CYNOSCION  NEBULOSUS." 


Illustration.     Page. 

563        1409 


Weight  to  12  pounds  ;  average,  4  pounds. 
Caught :  Rod  and  reel,  still  fishing,  bot- 
tom, or  floating  ;  No.  12-15  line,  4  to  6$  hook. 
Trolling  with  phantom,  spoon,  or  cut  bait.  Bait :  Shrimp,  Prawns, 
Crab,  Crawfish,  Conch,  Minnows,  cut  bait.  They  will  take  any  bait. 
Edible,  B.      Poor  keeper. 


^qtt3rt.£Mi..r;r;  j 


.«o.  ■*■"---■:'  ■■■  ■•■ 


' 


Channel  Bass  ; 
Red  Drum  ; 
Red-fish  ; 

Pescado  Colorado  ; 
Bull  Red-fish  ; 
Bass. 


••>:- 


Ik 


SCLjENOPS  OCELLATUS." 


567 


1453 


"  Head  Sys  ;  depth  S}4  ',  eye  7  in  head; 
snout  4.  D.  X-I,  24  ;  A.  II,  8  ;  scales  4-45  to 
50-12.  Body  elongate,  rather  robust,  not 
much  compressed  ;  back  somewhat  arched  ;  pro- 
file rather  steep,  somewhat  convex  ;   head  long, 


rather  low  ;  eye  small ;  snout  bluntish,  rather  long.     Preopercle  with 


2    r 


*%» 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  119 

its  bony  margin  sharply  serrate  in  young  examples,  becoming  entire 
with  age,  the  seme  entirely  disappearing  in  specimens  of  20  to  30 
pounds  weight  ;  in  these  the  even  edge  of  the  bone  is  wholly  covered 
by  skin  ;  mouth  large,  nearly  horizontal ;  maxillary,  not  quite  reach- 
ing posterior  border  of  orbit,  2^  in  head  ;  teeth  in  both  jaws  in  vil- 
liform  bands,  the  outer  series  of  the  upper  jaw  much  enlarged  ;  lower 
teeth  subequal  ;  gill  rakers  5+7,  shorter  than  the  diameter  of  the 
pupil  ;  longest  dorsal  spine  2}i  in  head  ;  second  anal  spine  l-§  in  the 
longest  ray,  3f  in  head  ;  pectorals  as  long  as  ventrals,  2  in  head  ; 
scales  of  the  breast  embedded,  cycloid  ;  soft  dorsal  scaleless  ;  caudal 
fin  slightly  concave,  about  y^  as  long  as  head.  Color,  grayish  silvery, 
iridescent ;  often  washed  with  coppery  red  ;  each  scale  with  a  center 
of  dark  points,  these  forming  rather  obscure,  irregular,  undulating 
brown  stripes  along  the  rows  of  scales  ;  a  jet  black  ocellated  spot 
about  as  large  as  eye  at  base  of  caudal  above,  this  sometimes  dupli- 
cated ;  the  body  occasionally  covered  with  ocelli.  Length,  2  to  5 
feet. ' '     Weight  to  50  pounds  ;  average  about  6  to  8  pounds. 

Caught :  Preferably  on  banks  near  shores  in  shallow  water,  with 
light  tackle.  Rod  and  reel,  6  to  12  line,  4$,  6$  hook.  Bait  :  Live 
Menhaden,  small  Mullet  or  other  small  fish  ;  Crab,  or  cut  Mullet, 
bottom  or  floating  bait,  using  float  if  desired.  In  shallow  water  they 
are  obliged  when  hooked  to  make  long  runs,  100  to  300  feet,  and 
afford  fine  sport.  When  fishing  on  or  near  oyster  bars  a  float  is 
necessary  to  keep  the  line  off  the  oysters,  where  it  may  be  cut.  They 
take  the  same  bait  as  above  in  the  surf  from  Ormond  to  Indian 
River  Inlet,  at  times,  notably  from  April  1st  to  December  1st,  and 
during  long  continued  warm  spells,  between  December  1st  and  April 
1st.  This  is  the  case  at  Mosquito  Inlet  and  New  Smyrna  south  to 
Indian  River  Inlet,  but  not  often  much  north  of  Mosquito  Inlet,  be- 
tween these  dates.  Trolling  :  They  will  take  a  medium-size  Mack- 
erel or  silvered  phantom,  a  No.  5  or  6  Skinner  spoon,  Minnow  or 
cut  bait.  Trolling  should  be  near  the  shores  where  the  fish  are  sup- 
posed to  be.  One  of  the  best  game  fish.  Edible,  B.  Up  to  6 
pounds  they  are  a  fine  boiler  or  broiler  ;  above  that  weight  they  are 
not  desirable. 


120 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


'  Agfa 


~.? 


.. 


.'■.-'• 


'*•»<£« 


119. 


Illustration.     Page 

LEIOSTOMUS   XANTHURUS."        569        1458 


Spot  ; 
Goody ; 
Post-croaker 
Oldwife  ; 
Lafayette ; 
Besouga  (G.). 


"  Head  S}i  to  S}^  ;  depth  3  ;  snout  3^  to  3%. 
D.  X-I,  31;  A.  II,  12;  scales  9-60  to  70-12. 
Body  short,  deep,  much  compressed  ;  back  in  front 
of  dorsal  compressed  to  a  sharp  edge,  profile  steep, 
convex,  depressed  over  the  eyes ;  dorsal  outline 
convex,  highest  at  front  of  dorsal ;  snout  very  blunt, 
as  long  as  eye,  Syi  to  3*4  in  head;  mouth  small,  inferior,  horizon- 
tal ;  maxillary  3  in  head ;  extending  to  below  pupil ;  no  teeth  in 
lower  jaw,  in  the  adult ;  upper  jaw  with  a  series  of  narrow  minute 
teeth ;  gill  rakers  short,  slender,  8  +  22  ;  lower  pharyngeals  small, 
with  three  series  of  molars  posteriorly  and  many  villiform  teeth 
anteriorly;  preopercle  entire;  preorbital  broad,  lj4  in  eye;  third 
dorsal  spine  highest,  \y2  \x\  head  ;  soft  dorsal  with  the  sheath  at  its 
base  formed  by  a  single  series  of  scales  ;  caudal  long  and  forked,  as 
long  as  head  ;  anal  long  and  slightly  falcate  ;  second  anal  spine  2^ 
in  the  longest  ray,  4  in  head  ;  ventrals  y$  shorter  than  pectorals, 
which  are  as  long  as  the  head  ;  scales  small,  strongly  ctenoid,  extend- 
ing on  caudal  and  base  of  pectorals  but  not  on  other  fins  ;  lateral 
line  little  curved  anteriorly ;  scales  below  lateral  line  in  oblique 
series.  Color,  bluish  above,  silvery  below  ;  about  15  narrow  dark 
wavy  bands  extending  from  the  dorsal  downward  and  forward  to 
below  lateral  line  ;  a  round  black  humeral  spot  rather  smaller  than 
eye  ;   fins  plain  olivaceous,  the  caudal  not  yellow." 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


121 


There  are  several  varieties  of  fishes  called  "Spots,"  some  others 
of  the  name  occurring  in  my  list.  The  names  are  local,  and  they  can- 
not be  changed.  The  fish  I  have  called  "Spot"  is  also  called  Cuban 
Fish,  Gulf  Fish  and  Salt-water  Bream.  Is  about  the  shape  of  a  Salt- 
water Bream,  all  white,  bluish  cast,  and  a  spot  just  below  the  gills. 
He  is  plentiful  in  Indian  River,  especially  from  Indian  River  Inlet  to 
Jupiter.  U.  S.  Commission  Report,  1896,  has  "Spot,"  "Sailor's 
Choice,"  confused  with  "Croaker,"  and  plate  50  called  Pinfish, 
Bream.  U.  S.  Commission  Bulletin,  1897,  "Spot,"  "Goody," 
probably  the  above  Lciostomus  Xanthurus.  U.  S.  Commission 
Bulletin,  1898,  "Spot,"  "Goody,"  probably  same  as  Leiostomus 
Xanthurus.      N.  Y.  Aquarium,  "Spot,"  "Lafayette." 

The  "Spot,"  "Bream,"  and  "Sailor's  Choice"  questions  are 
decidedly  mixed.     The  Spots  are  all  small  fish,  y^,  to  \%  pounds. 

Caught :  No.  6  line,  No.  1  or  1$  hook,  fish,  or  crustaceous 
bait.  Still,  bottom  fishing.  Edible,  A  1  to  C,  according  to  what 
kind  of  a  Spot  the  specimen  is.  The  Leiostomus  Xanthurus  is  A  1. 
This  fish  received  its  name  of  "  Lafayette  "  because  it  reappeared  on 
the  coast,  after  a  long  absence,  during  the  visit  of  Lafayette  to  this 
country  in  1834. 

-vv 


Illustration.     Page. 


120.     "MICROPOGON    UNDULATUS. 


570 


1461 


Croaker  ;  "  Head  3  ;  depth  3/3.     D.  X-I,  28  or  29  ;  A.  II, 

Roncadina  ;      7  ;  scales  9-54.      Body  rather  robust,  the  back  some- 
Corvina.  what  elevated  and  compressed,  the  profile  rounded,  not 

depressed  above  eyes ;  head   long ;    the   snout   prominent,    convex. 


122  WHERE,    WHEN,   AND   HOW    TO    CATCH  FISH 

Mouth  rather  large,  nearly  horizontal,  the  maxillary  reaching  to  front 
of  eye,  3  in  head  ;  outer  teeth  above  enlarged  ;  eye  2  in  snout,  5  in 
head,  rather  less  than  interorbital  width.  Preopercle  strongly  ser- 
rate along  its  whole  posterior  margin,  the  spines  near  angle  diverg- 
ing ;  dorsals  nearly  separate,  the  first  high,  the  third  spine  3  in 
head  ;  pectorals  moderate,  nearly  reaching  tips  of  ventrals  ;  ventrals 
filamentous ;  anal  inserted  nearly  under  middle  of  second  dorsal,  the 
second  spine  rather  weak,  shorter  than  snout,  y^  length  of  head  ; 
caudal  double  truncate,  If  in  head;  16  scales  in  an  oblique  series 
from  vent  to  lateral  line,  12  in  an  oblique  series  from  dorsal  to  lateral 
line.  Gill  rakers  slender,  very  short,  7  +  16;  ca^ca  8.  Color, 
brassy,  paler  below ;  middle  part  of  the  body  with  short,  irregular 
dusky  vertical  bars  crossing  the  lateral  line  ;  many  dark  brown  spots 
on  side  of  back,  irregularly  placed,  and  not  forming  continuous 
streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales ;  usually  some  of  these  coalesce 
to  form  2  dark  streaks  procurrent  with  the  back.  Length,  12  inches." 
Weight  to  1  y?  pounds. 

Caught:    No.    6  line,  No.  1,   \%   hook.      Fish  or  Crustacea  bait. 
Edible,  A. 


i    ^§||gF        ■ * 

.    .                  -  --> 

'W 

Illustration, 

Page 

121.       ' 

'MENTICIRRHUS   AMERICANUS."    572 

1474 

Whiting  ; 

Carolina  Whiting 

Sand  Whiting. 

122.     "MENTICIRRHUS    SAXATILIS."  572         1475 

Whiting,  Northern  ;  "  Head  Z%  to  4  ;   depth  4»4  to  4^3  ;   eye 

KlNGFISH  (SMALL.    G. )  ;       7  in    hea(j  .    snQut     3^/  jy      X_J}   26    or     27; 

A.  I,  8  ;  scales  7-53  ;   14  pores.     Outer  teeth 


ON   THE   EAST  COAST   OE  FLORIDA.  123 

of  upper  jaw  less  enlarged  ;  spinous  dorsal  elevated,  the  longest  spine 
reaching  past  front  of  soft  dorsal,  its  length  \yi  in  head  ;  coloration 
strongly  marked,  body  scarcely  silvery.  Profile  slightly  depressed 
above  the  eyes  ;  eye  small,  2^  in  snout,  2  in  interorbital  area ;  snout 
long,  bluntish  ;  mouth  large  ;  maxillary  reaching  middle  of  eye,  2| 
in  head  ;  ventrals  1  ^  in  pectorals,  which  are  \\  in  head  ;  scales  all 
ctenoid.  Color,  dusky  gray  above,  sometimes  blackish,  the  back  and 
sides  with  distinct  dark  oblique  cross  bands  running  downward  and 
forward,  the  anterior  one  at  the  nape  extending  downward,  meeting 
the  second  and  thus  forming  a  V-shaped  blotch  on  each  side  ;  a  dark 
lateral  streak  bounding  the  pale  color  of  the  belly,  most  distinct  pos- 
teriorly, and  extending  on  lower  lobe  of  caudal ;  inside  of  gill  cavity 
scarcely  dusky;  pectorals  dark." 

Illustration.     Page 

123.     "MENTICIRRHUS    LITTORALIS."  No  illustration.     1477 

Whiting,  Silver;  "Head   3*4  ',    depth   4+ ;    eye   6^    in  head; 

Surf  Whiting.  gnout  3^  D-  X-I,  23  to  25  ;  A.  I,  7  ;  scales 
6-53  ;  12  pores.  Upper  lobe  of  caudal  not  longer  than  lower  ;  scales 
rather  large,  15  to  18  in  an  oblique  series  from  vent  upward  and 
forward  to  lateral  line  ;  axillary  scale  not  yx  length  of  pectoral ;  snout 
distinctly  projecting  beyond  mouth  ;  gill  rakers  larger  than  in  other 
species,  the  longest  about  )4  length  of  pupil,  the  number  X  +  7  ; 
lower  pharyngeal  bones  broad,  most  of  the  teeth  developed  as  coarse 
molars,  only  those  along  the  posterior  margin  conical  ;  maxillary 
reaching  past  front  of  orbit,  3)4  in  head  ;  outer  teeth  of  upper  jaw 
scarcely  enlarged  ;  longest  dorsal  spines  reaching  past  front  of  soft 
dorsal,  the  free  margin  of  the  fin  concave  ;  caudal  rather  deeply  lunate, 
the  lower  lobe  rounded,  the  upper  pointed  ;  ventrals  If  in  pectorals, 
which  are  1  ^  in  head.  Color,  silvery  gray  above,  with  bluish  and 
bronze  reflections,  immaculate  ;  a  dark -bronze  shade  along  sides  on 
level  of  pectorals,  extending  to  tail  and  along  cheeks  ;  belly  below 
this  abruptly  white  ;  dorsals  light  brown,  spinous  dorsal  black  at  tip, 
the  base  narrowly  white;  caudal  pale,  its  tip  usually  black ;  inner 
lining  of  pectoral  and  ventrals  blackish  ;  gill  cavity  pale."  Weight, 
y2  to  2   pounds  ;  average,  ^  pound. 

Usually  caught  on  sandy  bottom,  inside  and  outside,  rather  shallow 
water.  No.  6  line,  1$  hook.  Still  fishing,  in  surf  or  inside.  Bait  : 
Cut  Mullet  or  Crustacea.      Edible,  B. 


124 


WHERE,    WHEN,   AND    HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


>LM&M; 


Illustration.     Page. 

124.     "POGONIAS   CROMIS."  573        1482 

Drum  ;  "  Head  3* 3  ;   depth  2^3  5  snout  3^  in  head. 

Common  Drum  (G.).  D.  X-I,  21;  A.  II,  5  or  6  ;  scales  5-47-9. 
Body  oblong,  the  back  much  elevated,  ventral  outline  almost  straight, 
the  depth  rapidly  diminishing  from  the  first  dorsal  spine  backward  ; 
profile  rather  steep  and  slightly  convex  ;  mouth  moderate,  inferior, 
the  maxillary  not  reaching  middle  of  eye,  3 ^3  in  head;,  teeth  in 
broad  bands,  the  outer  series  above  scarcely  enlarged  ;  snout  blunt, 
longer  than  eye  ;  lower  pharyngeals  large,  completely  united,  cov- 
ered with  many  blunt  molars  and  a  small  patch  of  conical  teeth  at  the 
outer  posterior  corner;  gill  rakers  4+12,  very  short,  slender;  dor- 
sal spines  high  but  slender,  the  fourth  highest,  2  in  head ;  caudal 
subtruncate  ;  second  anal  spine  very  large,  about  2  in  head  ;  pectorals 
about  as  long  as  head  ;  scales  large,  those  on  breast  small.  Color, 
grayish  silvery,  with  4  or  5  broad  dark  vertical  bars,  these  disap- 
pearing with  age,  usually  no  oblique  dark  streaks  along  rows  of 
scales  above;     fins  blackish." 

See  J.  &  E.,  page  14-S2.  One  of  146  pounds  caught  at  St. 
Augustine.  Up  to  10  pounds  this  fish  strongly  resembles  the  Sheeps- 
head.     The  very  large  ones  non-edible. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


125 


S^a» 


^ 


Illustration.     Page. 

125.     "EQUES   LANCEOLATUS."  575        1489 

Ribbon  Fish  ;  "  Head  4  ;  depth  2|  ;  eye  4.      D.  XIV  to  XVI-I, 

Guapena  ;  53  •  A.  II,  5  ;  scales  irregular,  with  smaller  ones  inter- 

Serrana.  mixed  ;  about  12  of  the  anterior  interneurals  wedged 

in  between  the  occiput  and  the  neural  spine  of  the  third  vertebra  ; 
distance  from  tip  of  snout  to  first  dorsal  spine  much  less  than  depth 
of  body.  Body  deepest  below  first  dorsal  spine,  rapidly  tapering  to 
the  narrow  caudal  peduncle  ;  profile  very  steep,  little  convex ;  eye 
little  longer  than  snout  ;  preorbital  broad,  nearly  as  wide  as  eye ; 
mouth  small,  slightly  oblique  ;  maxillary  reaching  to  below  anterior 
fourth  of  eye ;  teeth  all  villiform  in  broad  bands,  the  outer  scarcely 
enlarged  ;  preopercle  with  a  fringed  membranous  border  ;  gill  rakers 
very  short  and  slender,  6  +  9  ;  anterior  dorsal  spines  much  elongate, 
\y±  in  body;  soft  rays  low,  the  membranes  scaled  to  the  tips;  anal 
small,  its  second  spine  3  in  head  ;  ventrals  1  }i  in  head  ;  pectorals 
scarcely  shorter.  Color,  light  yellowish  ;  a  narrow  brownish  band 
from  the  corner  of  the  mouth  up  across  the  middle  of  the  eye  and 
meeting  its  fellow  on  top  of  head  ;  another  broader  band  edged  with 
a  narrow  white  line  on  each  side  from  the  nape  down  and  back  over 
opercle,  meeting  its  fellow  between  the  ventral  fins  and  extending  to 
the  tips  of  their  outer  rays ;  a  third  and  still  broader  band,  also  bor- 
dered by  white,  extending  from  the  tips  of  the  dorsal  spines  to  their 
base,  then  downward  and  backward  to  the  tips  of  the  middle  caudal 
rays  ;  body  below  this  band  silvery  white,  above  it  somewhat  darker." 


126 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 


This  fish  is  very  rare.  A  few  are  caught  in  Indian  River,  in 
seines,  and  while  fishing  for  other  fish,  by  sportsmen.  A  beautiful 
frosted  silver  fish.  Long,  flat,  and  slim,  silver  color.  Non-edible. 
Simply  a  curiosity. 


t£ 


^ 


\e 


Illustration.     Paq;e. 


126.     "LACHNOLAIMUS    MAXIMUS." 


597 


1579 


Weight  to  8  pounds  ;  average,  3  to  4  pounds. 
Caught :    Rod    and    reel,   hand  line,  No.    15  line, 
5$  hook.      Still  fishing,  bottom.    Biscayne  Bay  to  Key 
West,  channels  and  "  patches."      Edible,  A  1.      One  of  the  very  best 
table  fishes. 


Hogfish  ; 
Capitaine  ; 
Perro  Perro 


Lady-fish  ; 
Spanish  Lady-fish 
Spanish  Hogfish  ; 

PlIDIANO  ; 

Pkrro  Colorado. 


127.      "  HARPE    RUFA."        No  illustration. 


1583 


Entirely  different  from  the  Lady-fish,  Bone- 
fish,  which  see,  page  411,  plate  179.  J.  &  E. 
say  caught  at  Key  West. 


ON   THE   EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  127 


v  j   :    ,     . 


Illustration.     Page. 

128.     "CRYPTOTOMUS    BERYLLINUS."      608         1625 
Parrot  Fish. 

129.     "SPARISIMA    CHRYSOPTERUM."     No  illustration.    1636 

Parrot  Fish,  Blue  ;  "Head    3^    (4*^    with   caudal);   depth  2}& 

Vikja.  (34).     D.  IX,  10;  A.   II,   9;  scales  2^-24-6. 

Body  oblong  ;  a  strong  canine  directed  outward  and  backward  toward 
angle  of  mouth  in  upper  jaw  ;  besides  this  about  3  smaller  canines 
toward  front  of  jaw,  chiefly  turned  forward  ;  upper  lip  covering  about 
*4  of  upper  jaw.  Eye  5/3  in  head;  snout  not  obtuse,  2^  ;  cheek 
with  a  single  row  of  3  or  4  large  scales;  each  pore  of  lateral  line 
ramose,  many  times  forked,  and  covering  most  of  the  scale,  the  pores 
more  branched  than  in  any  other  of  our  species  ;  4  scales  on  median 
line  before  dorsal.  Caudal  deeply  lunate,  the  outer  rays  much  pro- 
duced, upper  lobe  the  longer,  twice  as  long  as  inner  rays,  as  long  as 
head.  Color,  in  life,  bright  blue,  almost  everywhere  tinged  with 
green  ;  head  and  portion  behind  pectorals  brighter  ;  an  ill -defined 
pale  band  on  lower  part  of  side  ;  dorsal  and  anal  and  middle  of  cau- 
dal brick  red  ;  edge  of  caudal  blue  ;  ventrals  bluish  green  ;  pectorals 
greenish  yellow,  their  base  red  around  a  large  black  spot ;  teeth 
bluish  ;  jaws  pale.  In  spirits  the  blue  is  more  or  less  faded,  leaving 
the  fish  chiefly  green,  darker  on  head  ;  the  red  and  yellow  of  fins 
become  pale  grayish.  According  to  Poey,  there  is  usually  a  dark 
blue  horizontal  stripe  along  sides  behind  pectoral  fin." 

130.     "SPARISIMA    VIRIDE."       No  illustration.     1638 
Parrot  Fish,  Green  ; 
Dark  Green   Parrot  Fish. 


128  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO   CATCH   FISH 

Illustration.     Pace. 

131.     "SPARISOMA    FLAVESCENS."    No  illustration.     1639 

Parrot  Fish  ;  "  Head  Z}i  (4  with  caudal)  ;   depth  2f  (3^). 

Mud  Parrot;  d    ix?  1Q  .   A    Hj  9  .    scales  2^-24-6;    eye  5^ 

,T         . ,  in  head  :  snout  24.     Body  oblong  :  no  canine  teeth  ; 

VlEJA    MUGER.  a  '  b  ' 

upper  lip  covering  most  of  upper  jaw  ;  eye  rather 
small ;  snout  bluntish,  cheek  with  a  single  series  of  about  5  large 
scales  ;  tubes  of  lateral  line  dividing  into  about  5  branches,  covering 
most  of  the  scale  ;  4  scales  on  median  line  before  dorsal ;  pectoral 
fin  reaching  past  tips  of  ventrals ;  origin  of  ventral  spine  under 
middle  of  pectoral  base  ;  caudal  fin  slightly  lunate,  the  upper  lobe 
longer  and  narrower  than  the  lower,  1  %  in  head  ;  the  prolongation 
of  the  outer  rays  varies  somewhat  and  is  greatest  in  the  adult ;  the 
concavity  of  the  fin  is  evident  in  specimens  3  inches  long,  but  in  the 
very  young  the  fin  is  truncate  or  even  slightly  convex.  A  few  speci- 
mens of  6  to  8  inches  are  in  the  collection  in  which  the  caudal  fin 
appears  fairly  truncate  when  spread  open,  the  angles  remaining  acute. 
In  most  cases,  however,  the  fin  is  slightly  concave.  Color  of  adult, 
in  life,  olivaceous,  somewhat  clouded  with  light  and  dark,  and  usually 
flushed  with  pinkish,  especially  below,  the  edges  of  the  scales  more 
yellow  olive  ;  scales  of  belly  and  lower  parts  light  orange  red  toward 
their  bases,  giving  a  decidedly  reddish  cast ;  dorsal  mottled  with 
different  shades  of  olive  ;  caudal  creamy,  mottled  and  barred  with 
darker  orange,  the  markings  more  distinct  on  the  outer  edge  ;  ven- 
trals and  anal  rich  cherry  red,  mottled  and  barred  with  brown  ;  pec- 
torals light  orange  red,  the  color  formed  by  narrow  orange  cross 
streaks  on  a  paler  ground,  a  light  band  across  lower  jaw,  which  is 
otherwise  brown  ;  teeth  white  ;  a  dusky  or  black  blotch  at  base  of 
pectoral  ;  sometimes  blackish  spots  on  the  scales  at  the  base  of  the 
soft  dorsal.  In  spirits  the  red  of  body  and  fins  and  yellow  on  scales 
becomes  pale.  Young  individuals  have  small,  bright,  rosy  spots  on 
sides  of  back  ;  2  faint,  darker,  longitudinal  shades  along  side." 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


129 


132. 

Parrot-fish  ; 
Guacamaia  ; 
Green  Parrot-fish. 


PSEUDOSCARUS  GUACAMAIA." 


Illustration.     Page 

617         1657 


Parrot  Fish  ; 
Bullon. 


133.     "SCARUS  CROICENSIS." 

No  illustration. 


1650 


134.     "SCARUS  C^ERULEUS."  613        1652 

(Illustration  of  jaws  only.) 

Parrot  Fish  ;  Weight  to  8  pounds  ;  average  about  1  pound 

Blue  Parrot-fish  ;     or  jess 

LoRO ;  Caught  :   Same  as  bottom  small  fish,  Biscay ne 

Bay,  the  Keys  and  Key  West.  No.  6  line,  1$ 
hook.  Bait :  Crawfish,  Conch,  Crustacea,  or  cut  bait.  Non-edible, 
or  barely  edible. 


135.     "UPENEUS  MARTINICUS."  859 

Caught   in  Biscayne  Bay,  and  Keys  to  Key 

Yellow  Goatfish  •    West.      No.    6   line,  No.    1    hook.      Bait :    Craw- 

Salmonete.  fish,    Crustacea,    cut   fish.      Still  fishing,  drifting. 

Edible,  B. 


130  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 


Spade-fish  ; 
Angel-fish. 


136.     "CHiETODIPTERUS  FABER." 


Illustration.     Page. 


619 


1668 


"Head  3  to  3^;  depth  1  to  1%.  D.  VIII-I, 
20;  A.  Ill,  18;  scales  60;  caeca  4  to  6.  Vertical 
fins  low  in  the  young,  falcate  in  the  adult.  Third  dorsal  spine  more 
than  Y-2  in  head,  in  adult  about  as  long  as  from  tip  of  snout  to  edge 
of  preopercle,  its  membrane  blackish,  more  produced  in  the  young ; 
chin  with  a  row  of  pores  ;  preorbital  nearly  as  wide  as  eye  ;  pectoral 
considerably  shorter  than  ventrals,  the  first  soft  ray  of  the  latter  fila- 
mentous. Color,  grayish  ;  a  dusky  band  across  the  eye  to  the 
throat ;  a  second  similar  band,  broader,  beginning  in  front  of  the 
dorsal  and  extending  across  base  of  pectoral  to  the  belly  ;  a  third 
band,  narrower,  extending  to  middle  of  sides,  from  the  base  of  fourth 
and  fifth  dorsal  spines  ;  a  fourth  broader  band  from  the  last  dorsal  spine 
to  the  anal  spines,  the   remaining  bands  alternately  short  and  long  ; 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


131 


all  of  these  bands  growing  obscure  and  disappearing  with   age  ;   ven- 
trals  black."      Weight  to  4   pounds;   average,   2^    pounds. 

These  fish  are  of  same  family  as  the  Angel-fish,  but  are  sombre 
hued  and  very  plain.  Caught  from  Norris  Cut  to  Key  West,  occa- 
sionally one  farther  north.    Caught  :    Same  as  Angel-fish.    Edible,  C. 


^rrr&VrW^ 


Illustration.     Page. 

137.     "POMACANTHUS  ARCUATUS."        623        1679 
Angel-fish  ; 
Black  Angel-fish  ; 
Chirivita  ; 
portugais. 


132  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


NT?' 


^£&gg.:  '  :     '--.... 


■■>. 


-^.^ 


138. 


Illustration.     Page. 

ANGELICHTHYS  CILIARIS."  626        1684 


Angel-fish  ; 
Isabelita. 


"  Head  3*4  ',  depth  \i/%  ;  eye  4}4  in  head ;  snout 
2y2.  D.  XIV,  21  ;  A.  Ill,  21.  Body  oblong,  oval; 
anterior  profile  straight,  steep,  sharply  convex  in  front  of  dorsal ;  an- 
terior dorsal  outline  and  ventral  outline  nearly  parallel ;  jaws  projecting. 
Length  of  head  equal  to  its  depth  from  anterior  margin  of  blue  ring  in 
front  of  dorsal;  the  preorbital  j/3  broader  than  eye,  with  1  or  2  indistinct 
spines  ;  preopercle  with  a  strong,  grooved,  slightly  curved  spine  at 
angle,  about  as  long  as  orbit ;  5  or  6  short,  blunt  spines  with  inter- 
mediate minute  ones  on  upper  limb,  the  longest  of  these  spines  6  in 
the  spine  at  the  angle  ;  2  or  3  short,  strong  spines  on  lower  limb  ; 
interopercle  with  1  or  2  short  spines  ;  premaxillary  very  thick,  its 
width  above  equal  to  orbit ;  a  furrow  from  front  of  eye  below  nostrils  ; 
interorbital  greater  than  preorbital,  equal  to  distance  between  eye 
and  upper  end  of  gill  opening.  Soft  dorsal  and  anal  falcate,  the  fila- 
mentous tips  reaching  much  beyond  the  caudal  ;  pectoral  broad, 
obliquely  rounded,  If  in  head;  ventrals  long,  the  spine  long,  \yi 
in  head,  the  rays  slightly  filamentous,  not  quite  reaching  anal,  equal 
to  head  ;  caudal  rounded,  equal  to  head  behind  premaxillary  ;  lateral 
line    ceasing    before    reaching    end    of    dorsal,    the     scales    below 


> 

<  o 

"-  r1 

S  g 

Z     55 

2   O 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  133 

regularly  arranged,  those  above  irregularly.  Ground  color  olive, 
terminal  half  of  scales  on  sides  yellow,  side  of  head  yellowish 
olive,  top  of  head  dusky  ;  a  blue  ring  in  front  of  dorsal  surround- 
ing a  black  spot  containing  a  few  pale-blue  specks ;  iris  yellow, 
blue  above  and  below,  upper  jaw  blue-black,  some  yellow  at 
corner  of  mouth  ;  lower  jaw,  lower  side  of  head,  and  breast  dusky 
olive  ;  a  dark  blue  margin  to  opercle  much  broader  above  than  be- 
low ;  upper  edge  of  preopercular  spine  pale  blue  ;  edge  of  dorsal  fin 
blue  black,  a  black  blotch  on  last  rays,  the  fin  otherwise  reddish  or 
orange,  becoming  paler  toward  tip  of  filament ;  anal  similar  to  dorsal, 
but  darker  ;  caudal  entirely  pale  orange  or  clear  lemon  yellow  ;  pec- 
toral lemon  yellow,  the  base  with  a  brown  blotch  bordered  anteriorly 
by  a  narrow  blue  stripe ;  ventrals  lemon  yellow,  somewhat  dusky  at 
base." 

Illustration.     Page. 

139.     "ANGELICHTHYS   ISABELITA."  1685 

No  illustration. 
Angel-fish  ;  Weight  to  8  pounds  ;  average,  2^  pounds. 

Common  Angel-fish  (G.).  U.  S.  F.  Commission,  1896,  says  to  20 
pounds.  Caught :  Still,  bottom  fishing ;  rod  and  reel,  No.  6  line, 
No.  6  hook  with  gut  snood.  Bait :  Cut  Crawfish,  cut  Conch,  small 
shell  fish  out  of  shell,  cut  fish,  Fiddler  Crab.  The  natives  of  the 
Keys  grain  them.  By  many  considered  the  handsomest  fish  in  the 
world.     Edible,  C. 

140.     "BALISTES   CAROLINENSIS."        632        1701 

Trigger-fish;  "Head  Z%  ;  depth  \%.     D.  Ill,  27;  A.  25; 

Leather  Jacket;  scales  usually  about  60  (55  to  63);   about  35  scales 

in  an  oblique  series  from  vent  upward  and  forward. 
Turbot 

Third  dorsal  spine  shorter  but  stouter  than  the  sec- 
ond and  remote  from  it ;  plates  on  head  similar  to  those  on  body  ; 
caudal  lobes  produced  in  adult ;  soft  dorsal  high,  its  longest  rays  ele- 
vated but  not  filamentous,  in  adult  1  ^  in  head.  Ventral  flap  large, 
supported  by  several  slender  pungent  spines,  resembling  fin  spines. 
Lateral  line  very  slender,  showing  only  as  the  scales  begin  to  dry,  its 
course  everywhere  undulating  and  very  crooked  ;  it  extends  from  eye 
backward  to  interspace  between  dorsals,  then  bends  abruptly  and 
obliquely  downward  to  opposite  first  third  of  anal,  then  forms  a 
V-shaped  figure,  returning  back  to  level  of  middle  of  caudal  peduncle, 


134 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


whence  nearly  straight  to  base  of  caudal ;  a  branch  from  behind  eye 
extends  obliquely  downward  and  forward  to  the  breast  below  pecto- 
rals ;  a  cross  branch  at  the  nape  connects  the  lateral  lines  of  the  two 
sides.  Color,  in  life,  olive  gray  ;  a  more  or  less  distinct  darker  cross 
bar  under  front  of  second  dorsal  and  1  under  last  ray  ;  some  small 
violet  spots  on  upper  part  of  back  ;  usually  a  ring  of  blue  spots, 
alternating  with  olive-green  streaks,  about  eye  ;  violaceous  marks  on 
sides  of  snout ;  first  dorsal  spotted  and  clouded  with  bluish  ;  second 
dorsal  pale  yellowish  with  clear  sky-blue  spots  separated  by  olive- 
green  reticulations,  the  spots  arranged  in  rows  ;  blue  markings  all 
fading  in  alcohol,  leaving  the  olivaceous  streaks;  base  of  dorsal  with 
3  or  4  dark  diffuse  shades  in  the  young  ;  base  of  pectoral  bluish,  with 
olive  spots ;  anal  colored  like  soft  dorsal  ;  pectoral  greenish. ' ' 


Trigger-fish 
Old  Wife  ; 
Old  Wench  ; 
Cochino. 


141. 


Illustration.     Page. 

"BALISTES   VETULA."   No  illustration.     1703 


. 


142.     "MONOCANTHUS   CILIATUS."        634        1714 

"  Head  S}4  5  depth  \yA  ;  young  1^.      D.  I,  30; 
scales    very    small,    without    median    crest.       Spines 
becoming  longer  on  caudal  peduncle,  which  has  in 
addition  2  or  3  pairs  of  strong  spines  curved  forward,  these  prominent 


Trigger-fish 
Leather  Fish 
Lija. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  135 

only  in  adults ;  ventral  flap  longer  than  head,  about  y$  length  of 
body.  Scales  on  ventral  flap  developed  as  flat  plates,  with  their  free 
margins  pectinate.  Snout  pointed,  the  upper  profile  concave.  Dorsal 
spine  strong,  nearly  as  long  as  head,  armed  behind  with  2  rows  of 
retrorse  barbs ;  ventral  spine  small,  rough.  Color  varying  very 
much  with  the  surroundings  of  the  fish,  from  dull  olive  gray  to  the 
most  vivid  grass  green  ;  the  markings  not  well  defined  and  not  very 
constant ;  green,  with  white  cirri  on  sides ;  a  whitish  longitudinal 
cloud  behind  pectorals  ;  a  pale  band  downward  and  forward  from  eye ; 
lower  side  of  head  with  darker  cross  bands  ;  dorsal  and  anal  pinkish, 
with  (usually  3)  darker  spots  at  base  ;  ventral  flap  edged  with  scarlet ; 
caudal  greenish,  mottled  with  darker  and  pale  ;  some  specimens  show 
neither  red  nor  green  shades,  and  have  vague,  dusky,  longitudinal 
stripes." 

Illustration.     Page. 

143.     "MONACANTHUS   HISPIDUS."         635        1715 
Turbot;  "Head   3f ;    depth    1#.       D.    I,    32 ;    A.    32. 

Trigger-fish  ;     Young  slightly  deeper  ( 1  y2  )  proportionally  than  adult. 
'  Body  rather  deep.    Jaws  subequal ;   eyes  large,  about 

Leather  Fish  •  ^  m  snout-  Gill  opening  about  as  long  as  eye,  sep- 
Horny  Cony  ;  arated  from  the  eye  by  an  interspace  nearly  equal  to 
Lija.  its  length.     Anterior  profile  slightly  concave.    Dorsal 

spine  somewhat  shorter  than  snout,  more  than  y2  head,  inserted 
above  posterior  part  of  eye,  stout,  rough,  armed  behind  with  2  rows 
of  retrorse  barbs  ;  first  ray  of  soft  dorsal  often  filamentous  in  the 
adult  (male?),  its  length  varying  from  that  of  snout  to  that  of  depth 
of  body  (longest  among  specimens  seen  by  us  is  1  from  the  Canary 
Islands)  ;  pectorals  small.  Pelvic  bone  long,  ending  in  a  short,  blunt, 
movable  spine,  beyond  which  the  abdominal  flap  does  not  extend. 
Scales  minute,  each  with  a  crest  of  about  3  prickles,  those  on  caudal 
peduncle  villous,  those  on  ventral  flap  larger,  elongate  ;  no  naked 
areas  ;  no  recurved  spines  on  tail.  Color,  grass  green  or  olive  ;  back 
and  sides  with  faint,  irregular  whitish  spots;  head  plain;  spinous 
dorsal  and  caudal  green  ;  second  dorsal  and  anal  translucent ;  adult 
less  variegated  ;  dull  olivaceous,  mottled  with  dusky.  Length,  10 
inches."      Weight  to  4  pounds  ;  average  about  2  pounds. 

Caught  among   the  Keys,  9  to  12  line,  lfc  hook.     A  game  fish. 
Bait :   Crawfish,  Crustacea,  cut  fish,  Conch.      Edible,  C. 


136  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


Illustration.     Page. 

144.     "LACTOPHRYS   TRIGONUS."  641        1723 


Trunk-fish  ; 
Chapin  ; 
Shellfish. 


■ 


A^/' 


145.     "LACTOPHRYS   TRIQUETER."        638        1722 

"  Head  4  ;  depth  1\  ;  eye  8  to  9  in  total  length, 
4  to  \y2  in  height  of  side.  D.  10  ;  A.  10  ;  P.  12  ; 
scales  9.  Carapace  trigonal,  without  spines  ; 
breadth  equal  to  y2  length  of  body  in  adults,  greater 
in  young.  Ventral  surface  of  carapace  convex 
anteriorly,  concave  posteriorly.  Back  elevated,  compressed,  sides 
joining  at  an  angle  of  about  30  degrees.  Carapace  continuous  behind 
dorsal  fin.  Interorbital  space  concave.  Upper  surface  of  snout  con- 
cave.   Teeth  long,  spike-like,  8  to  10  in  each  jaw.    Scales  of  the  sides 


Trunk-fish  . 
Rock  Shellfish 
Drunken-fish  ; 
Chapin  ; 
Plate-fish. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  137 

hexagonal,  in  young  with  striae  radiating  from  center  to  angles  of 
each  scale,  in  adult  armed  simply  with  tubercules,  9  to  10  in  longitu- 
dinal series  from  gill  opening  to  tail,  8  in  median  line  of  ventral  sur- 
face, 8  between  ventral  keel  and  angle  of  back  ;  posterior  dorsal 
scute  unarmed.  Branchial  aperture  oblique,  its  length  greater  than 
diameter  of  eye,  descending  before  base  of  pectoral.  Fins  obtusely 
rounded ;  caudal  of  moderate  length  and  rounded.  Color,  dark 
brown,  thickly  studed  with  circular  spots  of  yellowish  white,  each 
about  yi  of  an  inch  in  diameter  ;  the  position  of  these  spots  appears 
to  have  no  relation  to  the  shape  of  the  plates  of  the  carapace  ;  ven- 
tral surface  lighter  and  spotless  ;  epidermis  often  abraded,  leaving 
the  shell  uniform  tawny  white  ;  lips,  bases  of  the  fins,  and  tail  stem 
brown  like  the  ground  color  of  the  body.  In  dried  specimens  the 
epidermis  dries  and  loses  its  color,  and  the  shell  shows  through  with 
a  lighter  shade.  Giinther  states  that  the  lips,  roots  of  the  fins,  root 
of  the  tail,  and  tip  of  the  caudal  are  black.  (Goode.)  Length,  lOf 
inches.  Young,  in  life,  light  olive,  covered  everywhere  above  and 
below  with  round  darker  spots  of  greenish  blue  about  as  large  as 
pupil ;  fins  plain  ;  caudal  peduncle  with  a  few  spots." 

Illustration.    Page. 

146.     "LACTOPHRYS   TRICORNIS."         639        1724 

Cow-fish  ;  All  of   the  so-called  shell-fishes  are   usually  caught 

Cuckold  ;      while  fishing  for  other  fishes,  and  are  only  curiosities. 

The  meat  is  said  to   be  sweet,  but  I  will   leave   that  to 

persons  who  desire  to  try  them. 


147.     "LAGOCEPHALUS    L.EVIGATUS."     642        1728 
Smooth  Puffer. 


148.  "LAGOCEPHALUS  PACHYCEPHALIA."     1728 

Jug-fish.  No  illustration. 

149.     "SPHEROIDES    SPENGLERI."  644        1732 

Swell-fish.  "  Head  3.      D.    7  ;   A.    6.      Head  compressed, 

Southern  Puffer  ;  narrow  ;   interorbital  space  very  slightly  concave, 
Swell  Toad  ;  or   finish   ^th    a    slight    median    ridge,    narrow, 

about  }£  as  broad  as  eye,  its  width  5  to  6  in  head, 
2yi  to  3  in  snout,  which  is  2  in  head  ;  profile  of  snout  not  steep.    Body 


138 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


variously  prickly,  sometimes  smooth,  usually  a  patch  of  minute  spines 
from  occiput  halfway  to  dorsal  fin  ;  belly  spinous  to  near  the  vent ;  skin 
of  head,  tail,  and  most  of  the  skin  of  the  sides  smooth  ;  sides  usually 
with  small  dermal  cirri,  especially  in  the  young,  these  not  very  con- 
spicuous. Young  examples  have  the  back  and  belly  covered  with 
rather  large,  not  close  set,  stellate  prickles  as  described  in  the  origi- 
nal account  of  Tetrodon  nephelus.  Of  the  larger  individuals,  some 
have  prickles  only  on  the  back,  others  on  the  belly  only  ;  1  or  2  only 
on  a  small  area  behind  the  eyes  near  the  median  line,  while  the 
majority  of  the  largest  are  entirely  smooth.  There  is  no  doubt  that 
these  all  belong  to  one  species.  The  loss  of  the  prickles  is  probably 
to  some  extent  dependent  on  age.  Adult  olive  brown,  with  numer- 
ous small  light-bluish  or  greenish  spots  everywhere,  many  of  them 
forming  ocelli  around  darker  spots  of  the  ground  color ;  numerous 
scattered  black  spots  as  large  as  the  pupil,  one  in  axil  below  most 
distinct ;  some  obscure  dark  spots  along  sides  of  belly,  this  region 
being  flesh  color,  with  pale  rivulations  ;  pectorals  yellowish ;  caudal 
pale,  usually  with  2  dusky  shades.  Young,  gray  and  olive  above, 
much  mottled  with  blackish ;  back  with  numerous  irregular  blue 
spots ;  iris  coppery,  the  pupil  green  ;  belly  white,  grayish  brown 
along  the  sides ;  12  round  blackish  spots  along  the  boundary  between 
sides  and  belly  ;  a  whitish  bar  at  base  of  caudal ;  caudal  with  2  bars 
of  blackish  olive  and  1  of  white  ;  other  fins  plain  ;  back  and  sides 
with  whitish  cirri." 


Illustration.     Pafje. 

Swell  Toad;     150.     "SPHEROIDES    MACULATUS."       645        1733 

Puffer ; 

Blower. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  139 

Illustration.     Page. 

151.     "SPHEROIDES   MARMORATUS."  1733 

Blow-fish  ;  No  illustration. 

Spiny-back. 


Swell-fish  ; 
Tambor ; 
Globe  Fish. 


152.     "SPHEROIDES   TESTUDINEUS."      646        1734 


^^^%^H»§^'*^*? 


153.     "DIODON    HYSTRIX."  648        1745 

Porcupine-fish;  "  Head  3  ;    depth  3#.      D.  13  to  15;    A.  13 

Erizo  ;  to  15.      Spines  strong,  dilated  at  base,  with  a  pair 

Puerco  Espino.  of  basal  grooves ;  frontal  spines  not  as  long  as 
post-pectoral  spines  (in  adults  not  y2  as  long,  about  as  long  as  eye)  ; 
post-pectoral  spines  longer  than  any  others,  especially  in  the  adult, 
usually  about  as  long  as  pectoral  fin,  those  of  the  posterior  part  of 
back  and  tail  short  and  broad,  3-rooted,  and  therefore  not  erectile  ; 
predorsal  spines  very  short,  3-rooted,  fixed  or  nearly  so  ;  about  20 
spines  in  a  series  between  snout  and  dorsal  ;  upper  lobe  of  pectoral 
little  longer  than  lower  ;  upper  and  lower  part  of  tail  with  2  or  3 
pairs  of  3-rooted,  immovable,  recumbent  spines.  Adult  above  every- 
where covered  with  small  round  black  spots,  these  largest  in  front  of 
dorsal,  smallest  on  naked  area  about  mouth  ;  white  below  ;  fins  all 
more  or  less  spotted  in  the  adult,  nearly  plain  in  the  young.  Length 
about  3  feet." 


140 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  EISH 


-tern. 


*>*££* 


x: 


i54- 


Illustration. 

CHYLOMYCTERUS   SCHCEPFI."       649 


Page. 

1748 


Burr-fish  ; 
Common  Burr-fish 
Rabbit-fish  ; 
Swell-toad  ; 
Swellfish. 


"Head  2^;  depth  3.  D.  12;  A.  10. 
Body  a  little  broader  than  deep  at  gill  open- 
ings ;  interocular  space  broad,  concave ;  eyes 
large,  lateral,  nearly  as  long  as  snout,  each  with 
a  cirrus  above  it,  longer  than  pupil  ;  gill  open- 
ing about  as  wide  as  eye,  opposite  upper  anterior  part  of  pectoral. 
About  9  spines  between  eye  and  tail,  their  height  equaling  diameter 
of  pupil  ;  spines  on  belly  much  smaller,  partly  imbedded  in  skin  ; 
some  of  the  posterior  with  cirri ;  spines  on  caudal  peduncle  ;  ante- 
rior root  of  each  spine  little  if  any  larger  than  others.  Pectoral  fin 
deeper  than  long,  the  margin  undulate,  the  upper  lobe  longest. 
Color,  greenish,  belly  pale;  a  round,  black,  ocellated  spot  above 
pectorals,  not  as  large  as  eye,  a  larger  one  behind  pectorals,  another 
at  base  of  dorsal,  with  a  smaller  one  below  it ;  back  and  sides  with 
parallel  black  stripes  of  uniform  width,  about  as  wide  as  the  inter- 
spaces, those  on  the  back  running  longitudinally,  those  on  sides 
obliquely  downward  and  backward,  those  on  front  of  head  running 
crosswise,  a  dark  bar  at  base  of  dorsal ;  belly  pale  in  the  adult,  often 
black  in  the  young  ;  other  fins  plain.      Length,  6  to  10  inches." 

Blow-fishes.  On  page  425,  U.  S.  Commission,  1895,  in  check 
list  of  North  American  Fishes,  Jordan  &  Everman,  under  "family" 
name  of  "Puffers,"  give  the  various  names  of  several  varieties 
of  Blow-fish,  Swell  Toads,  etc.,  which  frequent  the  East  Coast, 
and  which  I  have  caught.  I  conclude  to  group  them  under  the 
general  name  of  "Blow-fish,"  as  above.  They  are  the  Toad-fish, 
Smooth  Puffers,  Swellfish,   Southern  Puffers,   Swell  Toads,  Tambors, 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


141 


Puffers,    Blowers,   Globe-fish,  and    Blow-fish,    Bladder-fish    (local), 
Porcupine  Fish,  etc.      Weight  to  3  pounds  ;  average  about  ^  pound. 
Caught  only  when  fishing  for  better  fish.      Non-edible.     Worth- 
less, foul  fishes. 


Sea  Robin. 


155.     "PRINOTUS  SCITULUS." 


Illustration.     Page. 

769        2157 


156. 


Sea  Robin  ; 
Flying  Robin 
Bat-fish  ; 
Volador ; 
murcielago. 


"CEPHALACANTHUS  VOLITANS."     778        2183 

"Head  4^;  depth  5>4.  D.  II-IV,  8  ;  A.  6  ;  P. 
28  -f  6.  First  2  dorsal  spines  free,  slightly  con- 
nected by  membrane  at  base ;  preopercular  spine 
reaching  beyond  base  of  pectorals,  not  to  end  of 
occipital  spine  ;  pectorals  reaching  nearly  to  base  of 
caudal  in  adult,  very  much  shorter  in  young  ;  in  the  young  the  spines 
of  the  head  are  much  longer.  Color,  greenish  olive  and  brown  above, 
of  varying  shades  ;  below  pale,  marked  irregularly  with  dusky  and 
bright  brick  red,  varying  to  salmon  yellow  ;  pectoral  fins  mottled 
with  bright-blue  streaks  near  the  base  and  blue  spots  and  bars  toward 
the  tip ;  their  under  sides  glaucous  blue,  edged  with  darker  ;  caudal 
fin  with  about  3  brownish-red  bars;  coloration  extremely  variable. 
Length,  12  inches." 

Only  occasionally  and  accidentally  caught,  and  only  a  curiosity. 


142  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 

Illustration.     Page. 

157.  "LOPHOGOBIUS  CYPRINOIDES."        786        2209 

Gobie.  "Head3f ;  depth  3§ ;  greatest  width  5^   to  6^.     D. 

VI  or  VII-10  or  11 ;  A.  9  or  10;  scales  26  to  30  ;  vertebrae 
1 1  -f- 1 5  ;  eye  3  y2  to  4.  Body  short  and  deep,  little  compressed,  formed 
much  as  in  Cyprinodon ;  head  naked,  a  prominent  naked  dermal 
crest  extending  from  above  middle  of  eye  to  near  front  of  spinous 
dorsal ;  interorbital  width  slightly  less  than  diameter  of  eye  ;  profile 
convex  ;  snout  short,  bluntish,  about  as  long  as  eye  ;  mouth  very 
oblique,  the  gape  slightly  curved  ;  front  of  upper  lip  on  level  of  lower 
border  of  eye  ;  lower  jaw  somewhat  projecting  ;  teeth  in  both  jaws  in 
bands,  the  outer  series  erect  and  somewhat  enlarged,  those  of  the 
inner  series  small ;  scales  large,  reduced  on  breast  and  nape  ;  a  few 
scales  on  upper  part  of  opercle  ;  median  line  before  dorsal  naked ; 
dorsal  spines  produced  in  short  filaments ;  last  rays  of  soft  dorsal 
reaching  caudal;  caudal  rounded  ;  pectorals  lanceolate,  reaching  be- 
yond insertion  of  anal,  the  upper  rays  not  silk-like ;  skull  very  broad 
and  short,  with  low,  median  crest,  highest  behind  ;  double  crests  of 
temporal  region  joining  at  the  upper  posterior  angles  of  the  eyes  and 
forming  a  bridge  over  the  interorbital  area,  the  crests  ending  abruptly 
above  the  anterior  part  of  the  orbit,  forming  a  decided  angle,  the 
bridged  interorbital  leaving  a  large  foramen  in  front  of  this  angle. 
Color,  blackish  green  in  life  ;  spinous  dorsal  black  ;  soft  dorsal,  ven- 
trals,  and  anal  dark,  plain  ;  pectorals  lightish,  plain  ;  caudal  finely  mot- 
tled. Length,  2  inches.  Recently  taken  by  Dr.  Evermann  in  brack- 
ish water  at  Biscayne  Bay." 

I  believe  this  small  fish  to  be  the  "  Stuffonier  "  of  Mosquito  Inlet, 
there  used  as  Snapper  bait. 

158.  "GOBIUS  STIGMATICUS."   (POEY.)     787        2224 

Gobies.  "  Head  4  ;  depth  5  to  6  ;  eye  3}§.  D.  VI-12  ;  A.  12  or 
13;  scales  27.  Body  a  little  deeper  and  less  compressed  than  in 
Gobius  encoeomns.  Anterior  profile  moderately  decurved  ;  back  slightly 
arched  ;  skull  flattish  behind,  much  broader  than  in  G.  boleosoma, 
with  an  evident  median  ridge  ;  mouth  oblique,  large,  lower  jaw  thin 
and  flat,  maxillary  reaching  to  below  pupil.  Teeth  above  uniserial, 
some  of  them  enlarged  and  recurved  ;  lower  teeth  in  a  narrow  band, 
males  sometimes  with  the  hindmost  of  the  outer  series  a  strong,  ex- 
serted,  recurved  canine    (present   in  Poey's  type).      Anterior  half  of 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


143 


body  scaled  except  region  between  nape  and  dorsal,  which  is  naked  ; 
breast  naked.  Longest  dorsal  spine  Yi  head,  sometimes  elongate  ; 
caudal  3}4  in  body.  Color,  light  greenish,  sides  of  male  with  5  or  6 
narrow,  straight,  whitish  or  yellowish  cross  bars,  regularly  placed  ;  4 
dark  bars  on  head,  3  below  the  eye  and  1  on  opercle ;  a  small, 
dark  spot  behind  and  above  opercle  ;  ventral  fins  barred  ;  female  with 
a  row  of  irregular  dark  spots  connected  by  a  dusky  streak,  the  pale 
cross  bars  obsolete. ' ' 

Page  2217,  "The  commonest  of  all  shore  fishes  in  tropical  Amer- 
ica."    With  few  exceptions  small  fish,  or  Minnow,  used  as  bait. 

There  are  120  species  of  this  fish  in  Bulletin  47,  but  I  describe 
only  two,  as  they  are  used  in  Florida  only  as  bait,  although  some  of 
the  species  are  edible  in  other  localities.  All  the  Gobies,  except  one 
or  two,  are  Minnows,  and  can  be  caught  with  cast  nets  and  used  as 
bait.     They  are  plenty  in  brackish  water  in  Biscayne  Bay. 


Illustration.     Page. 

159.     "ECHENEIS  NAUCRATES."    (PILOT.)     796        2269 
Shark-sucker;  This  ig  the  i0Cally-called  "Pilot  Fish,"  attached 

Regador  •  to  Shark.      Frequently  as  many  as  five  or  six  on  one 

Sucking-fish.      Shark  when  the  latter  is  caught. 


144 


WHERE,    WHEN,   AND   HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


v^ 


•^ 


i^ 


wmymiM 


**+*&£ 


m 


^«.iv     •'  .'-.«.,. ;^  r-y 


797a 

Illustration.     Page. 

160.     "REMORA  BRACHYPTERA."  797        2272 

Remora  ;  797a  shows  the  "  sucker  "  by  which  the  fish  at- 

Pilot  Fish  (G).       taches  and  holds  himself  to  Shark  or  other  large  fish. 


Toadfish  ; 
Sapo  ; 
Slimer  ; 
Oyster-fish. 


161.     "OPANSUS   TAU."      No  illustration.      2315 
See  Blow-fish,   Burr-fish,  etc. 


Toadfish  ; 
Sapo. 


162.     "OPANSUS   PARDUS." 

See  Blow-fish,  Burr-fish,  etc. 


810        2316 


163.     "MERLUCCIUS    BILINEARIS."     No  illustration.     2530 

Hakes  (or  Whiting.  G.);        See  Whiting,  Kingfish.     (Small.) 

Silver  Hake  ; 

Whiting  ; 

New  England  Hake. 


ON   THE   EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  145 

■ 


,  .    '    ,' 


,, 


Illustration.     Paee. 

164.     "PARALICHTHYS   DENTATUS."      922        2629 

Flounders  ;  "  Head  %%  to  4  ;  depth  2| ;  eye  6  in  head  ; 

Summer  Flounder.  maxillary  2;  pectoral  2i ;  ventral  S}4  ;  caudal 
peduncle  4;  caudal  lj{.  D.  86  to  91  ;  A.  65  to  71  ;  lateral  line 
108  (tubes).  Curve  of  lateral  line  3^  to  4yi  in  straight  portion  ; 
body  ovate  ;  maxillary  about  )A,  head,  reaching  past  posterior  margin 
of  eye  ;  mouth  large,  oblique,  the  gape  curved  ;  canines  large,  coni- 
cal, wide  set;  gill  rakers  comparatively  long  and  slender,  longest  fz  eye, 
5  +  15  to  6  +  18  in  number;  interorbital  area  a  rather  flattish  ridge, 
in  the  adult  about  equal  to  vertical  diameter  of  eye,  narrower  in  the 
young,  forming  a  bony  ridge  ;  scales  cycloid,  each  with  numerous 
small  accessory  scales;  vertebrae  11  +  30  =  41.  Color,  in  life, 
light  olive  brown  ;  adults  with  very  numerous  small  white  spots  on 
body  and  vertical  fins  ;  sometimes  a  series  of  larger  white  spots  along 
bases  of  dorsal  and  anal  fins  ;  about  14  ocellated  dark  spots  on  sides, 
these  sometimes  little  conspicuous,  but  always  present ;  a  series  of  4 
or  5  along  base  of  dorsal,  and  3  or  4  along  base  of  anal,  those  of  the 
2  series  opposite,  and  forming  pairs ;  2  pairs  of  smaller  less  distinct 
spots  midway  between  these  basal  series  and  lateral  line  anteriorly, 
with  a  small  one  on  lateral  line  in  the  center  between  them  ;  a  large 
distinct  spot  on  lateral  line  behind  middle  of  straight  portion ;  fins 
without  the  round  dark  blotches." 

165.  "PARALICHTHYS  LETHOSTIGMUS."  No  illustration.  2630 
Southern  Flounder. 


146  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

Illustration.     Page. 

166.     "PARALICHTHYS   SQUAMILENTUS."  923        2631 

Flounder. 


167.     "PARALICHTHYS   ALBIGUTTUS."     No  illustration.     2631 
Gulf  Flounder. 


168.  "ANCYLOPSETTA  QUADROCELLATA."  925    2634 

"  Head  3&  to  34;  depth  1?<$.    D.  70  to  76  ;  A.  57  to 

Flounder.  /4  5  '       l         7  ' 

59  ;  pores  in  lateral  line  83  to  90  ;  vertical  series  of  scales 
70 ;  fourth  or  fifth  dorsal  ray  longest,  nearly  3/3  length  of  head. 
Caudal  li  in  head;  ventral  of  colored  side  \yi.  Body  oval,  com- 
pressed, very  deep  ;  an  abrupt  angle  above  eye  ;  mouth  very  small, 
the  maxillary  reaching  to  below  middle  of  orbit,  2}4  m  length  of 
head ;  teeth  comparatively  small,  about  14  on  each  side  of  lower 
jaw  ;  no  strongly  differentiated  canines  in  either  jaw.  Eyes  moder- 
ate, separated  by  a  very  narrow,  sharp,  scaly  ridge ;  gill  rakers 
very  short,  thick,  few  in  number,  2  -f-  6  or  7,  the  longest  less  than 
}4  diameter  of  pupil  ;  scales  rather  small,  very  strongly  ctenoid, 
those  on  blind  side  also  rough  ;  curve  of  lateral  line  rather  low  ; 
tubes  of  lateral  line  simple ;  dorsal  beginning  in  front  of  pupil, 
its  anterior  rays  long  and  filiform,  much  exserted ;  caudal  short 
and  rounded,  If  in  head ;  ventral  fin  of  colored  side  rather  long, 
as  long  as  pectoral,  *4  length  of  head  ;  anal  spine  wanting.  Color, 
brownish  olive,  with  4  large,  oblong,  ocellated  spots,  the  first 
above  the  arch  of  the  lateral  line ;  the  3  posterior  forming  an 
isosceles  triangle,  the  hindmost  being  on  the  lateral  line,  the 
ocellated  spots  are  frequently  furnished  with  a  bright  white  center, 
and  the  sides  and  vertical  fins  have  often  a  few  scattered  white  spots  ; 
a  small,  indistinct,  dark  spot  on  middle  of  each  eighth  or  tenth  ray 
of  dorsal  and  anal.     Vertebra;  9  -(-  26  =  35." 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


147 


XXv 


ilk 


Illustration.     Page. 

169.     "PSEUDOPLEURONECTES   AMERICANUS."  933        2647 
Winter  Flounder  ; 
Common  Flatfish. 


'     : 


,;":»>< 


h 


r. 


%Z, 


5/ 


; 


170.     "LOPHOPSETTA   MACULATA." 
Flounder  (Spotted.  G.)  ; 
Window  Pane. 


938         2660 


148  WHERE,    WHEN,   AND   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 


*     X 


■ 


Illustration.     Page. 

171.     "ACHIRUS  LINEATUS."  947        2697 

Sole,  American.         "West  Indies,  Brazil,  Florida  Keys."      "Speci- 
mens received  from  Key  West." 

172.     "ACHIRUS    INSCRIPTUS."  2696 

Sole,  American.  "  Head  3^C  in  body  >  dePth  l2A-     D.  53  to  57  ; 

A.  40 ;  scales  75  to  80 ;  interorbital  width  less 
than  eye  ;  upper  eye  in  advance  of  lower.  Pectoral  fin  present  on 
each  side,  that  of  the  left  side  rudimentary,  of  a  single  ray ;  that 
of  the  eyed  side  with  about  3  ;  left  ventral  with  1  or  2  small  rays,  in 
some  specimens  entirely  absent ;  right  ventral  joined  to  anal.  Scales 
smaller  and  less  rough  than  usual  in  this  genus,  those  of  nape  scarcely 
enlarged  on  eyed  side,  those  of  blind  side  much  fringed  ;  scales  of 
colored  side  with  scattered  hair-like  appendages,  some  black,  others 
pale.  Color,  olivaceous  ;  head,  body,  dorsal,  and  anal  fins  covered 
with  a  network  of  dark  lines;  traces  of  about  8  dark  cross  streaks 
sometimes  present ;  caudal  fin  yellowish,  nearly  plain,  or  with  a  few 
dark  dots  or  reticulations,  its  base  dusky.  Vertebrae  8  20  =  28." 
"  Specimens  taken  at  Key  West  by  Dr.  Jordan." 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST   OF  FLORIDA.  149 

Illustration.     Page. 

173.     "ACHIRUS   FASCIATUS."  948        2700 

American  Sole;  "  The  species  is  best  known  of  American  Soles. 

Hog  Choker.  Head  4  in  body  ;  depth  14.      D.  50  to  55  ;  A.  37 

to  46  ;  scales  66  to  75  ;  eye  7  in  head  ;  height  of  dorsal  and  anal 
nearly  2;  caudal  1^.  Body  broad,  regularly  elliptical;  mouth 
moderate,  reaching  just  past  front  of  lower  eye ;  right  lower  lip 
fringed  ;  eyes  very  small,  the  upper  one  in  advance  of  the  lower  ;  nos- 
tril ending  in  a  wide  tube,  nearer  lower  eye  than  tip  of  snout ;  inter- 
orbital  space  with  scales,  more  than  y2  eye ;  head  and  body  scaled 
with  strongly  ctenoid  scales,  none  of  them  with  hair-like  appendages  ; 
lateral  line  nearly  straight  ;  gill  opening  short,  about  twice  as  long  as 
maxillary.  Origin  of  dorsal  on  tip  of  snout ;  last  few  rays  of  dorsal 
and  anal  rapidly  decreasing,  giving  the  fins  a  truncate  appearance 
posteriorly ;  pectorals  wholly  wanting ;  caudal  rounded.  Color, 
dusky  olive,  more  or  less  mottled,  and  with  about  8  dark,  vertical 
stripes,  these  varying  very  much  in  width  and  in  number ;  vertical 
fins  with  the  membrane  of  every  second  or  third  pair  of  rays  blackish, 
besides  dark  cloudings  at  base  of  fin  ;  caudal  with  numerous  longitu- 
dinally oblong  spots  ;  blind  side  often  with  round,  dark  spots,  especi- 
ally in  northern  specimens,  usually  immaculate  in  southern  ones  (var. 
browni).     Vertebrae  8  +  20=  28." 

„  „  Weight   to   10   pounds :    average  about   2 

Flounders  and  Soles.  °  l  ° 

pounds.  Caught  with  rod  and  reel,  cut  bait. 
Do  not  take  bait  readily.  2%  hook,  No.  6  line.  Are  taken  in  Hali- 
fax and  Hillsboro  rivers,  at  night.  Sharpen  a  stick,  carry  a  lantern 
along  the  shores,  in  6  inches  to  2  feet  water,  and  spear  the  fish  with 
the  stick.  Large  numbers  are  caught  at  Ponce  Park  when  wanted. 
The  Soles  and  Flounders  are  of  same  family.     Edible,  B. 


150 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


% 


Illustration.     Page. 

174.     "  OGCOCEPHALUS   VESPERTILIO."     958      2737 

Bat  Fish  ;         I  have  never  seen  this  fish. 
Diablo. 

I 


i75- 


CENTROPRISTES   STRIATUS." 


500 


1199 


Sea  Bass  •  This  fish  goes  by  the  local  names  of  Sea  Bass  and 

Black  Sea  Bass  ;  Black-fish,  at  Mayport,  St.  Augustine,  and  Ponce 
Black-fish  ;  park.  Not  usually  found  south  of  latter  point,  but 
Gardner  caught  one  at  Bears  Cut,  Biscayne  Bay,  win- 
ter 1901.  He  has  never  caught  one  in  Indian  River. 
Weight  in  Florida  %  to  1 J^  pounds.  Caught  with 
No.  6  line,  1$  hook  ;   Crab  or  cut  fish.      Edible,  A. 


Tally-Wag  ; 
Haunabill  ; 
Black  Will  ; 
Black  Harry. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


BESUGO  ; 

Red  Porgy  ; 
Pargo  Colorado. 


Illustration. 

551 


151 

Paee. 

1356 


176.     "PAGRUS    PAGRUS." 

This  fish  is  also  entered  in  my  list  among  the 
Porgies,  but  I  repeat  here  in  order  to  show  there 
are  two  Besugos.     See  below. 


Besouga  (G. ) ; 
Spot  ; 
Goody  ; 
Post-croaker  ; 
Oldwife  ; 
Lafayette. 


177.     "LEIOSTOMUS   XANTHURUS."        569        1458 
(Repetition.) 

This  fish  is  also  entered  in  my  list  as  a  Spot.  He 
is  called  Besouga  at  Ponce  Park,  New  Smyrna,  and 
at  Indian  River  Inlet.  I  repeat  him  here  to  put 
the  above  on  record.  He  is  one  of  the  many  "  Spots. ' ' 
Edible,  A  1  ;  which  some  of  the  other  "  Spots  "  are  not. 


152  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW    TO    CATCH  FISH 

.    4    I  '     . 


^ 


i78. 


Illustration.     Page. 

552         1358 


LAGODON   RHOMBOIDES." 

(Repeated.) 

"  Head  3±  ;  depth  2  to  22A  ;  eye  4. 
D.  XII,  11  ;  A.  Ill,  11  ;  scales  10-65  to 
70-17.  Body  elongate,  elliptical;  head 
flattened,  muzzle  pointed,  profile  not 
very  steep;  eye  moderate,  ly§  to  \y2 
in  snout,  1  in  interorbital ;  mouth  mod- 
erate, maxillary  not  reaching  front  of 
orbit,  3^  in  head  ;  incisors  \,  all  deeply 
notched  ;  molars  in  two  series  in  each 
jaw  ;  gill  rakers  6  +  13  ;  dorsal  spines 
all  rather  high,  the  highest  about  2  in 
head ;  caudal  deeply  forked ;  second 
anal  spine  not  longer  than  third ;  ven- 
trals  short  and  broad,  pectorals  moderate, 
upper  rays  reaching  past  origin  of  anal. 
Color,  in  life,  olivaceous,  the  sides  bluish-silvery  ;  a  humeral  spot 
and  traces  of  6  vertical  bars ;  gilt  stripes  much  less  intense  than  in 
Archosargus  unimaculatus,  much  broader  than  the  interspaces  ;  about 
7  stripes  below  the  lateral  line,  those  above  it  more  or  less  confluent ; 
dorsal  fin  pale  bluish,  with  a  submedian  gilt  band  and  a  gilt  edging ; 
caudal  yellow,   faintly  barred  ;  anal  bluish,  with  a  medium  yellowish 


Sailor's  Choice  ; 

Ronco  Blanco  ; 

Ronco  Prieto  ; 

Bastard  Margaret  ; 

Pigfish  ; 

Hogfish  ; 

Pinfish  ; 

Bream  ; 

Chopa  Spina  (J.  &  E.); 

Sailor's  Choice  ; 

Spot  (U.S.  Commission,  1896, 

pages  230,  245,  plate  48)  ; 
Sailor's  Choice  ; 
Pinfish  ; 
Shiny    Scup    (Bulletin  U.   S 

Commission,  1897). 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST   OF  FLORIDA.  153 

bancT;  ventrals  mesially  yellowish ;  pectorals  plain.  Length,  6 
inches. ' '     Weight  to  2  pounds";   average  about  ^  pound. 

Caught  :  Rod  and  reel,  still  fishing,  bottom  ;  No.  9  line,  1#, 
2$  hooks.      Bait :   Cut  Mullet,  Crustacea.     Edible,  C. 

This  is  the  only  fish  I  know  as  the  "  Sailor's  Choice." 

Illustration.     Page. 

179.     "HiEMULON    PARRA."  530        1297 

(Repeated.) 
Sailor's  Choice  ;  (2)  or  "  Head   3;   depth   2^;    eye  large,  4 

Key  West  Sailor's  Choice.  in  head  D  XII,  17  ;  A.  Ill,  7;  scales 
5-50-14.  Body  comparatively  deep,  the  back  compressed  and  arched  ; 
anterior  profile  rather  steep  and  convex,  steep  and  nearly  straight  from 
tip  of  snout  to  opposite  front  of  eye  ;  here  an  obtuse  angle  is  formed, 
and  to  the  base  of  dorsal  there  is  a  rather  even  curve.  In  other 
specimens  there  is  little  or  no  prominence  before  eye.  Snout  com- 
paratively high  and  obtuse,  its  length  in  specimens  of  moderate  size 
3  in  head  ;  snout  shorter  in  young  specimens  than  in  the  adult,  the 
maxillary  in  the  young  extending  farther  back  although  proportion- 
ately shorter ;  mouth  rather  small  for  the  genus,  the  maxillary  usually 
extending  a  little  beyond  vertical  from  front  of  eye,  in  young  nearly 
to  middle  of  eye,  its  length  21  in  head  ;  maxillary  in  adult  barely 
reaching  front  of  eye  ;  jaws  subequal,  the  lower  slightly  included. 
Teeth  rather  strong,  in  moderate  bands,  the  outer  large,  the  antrorse 
teeth  of  the  posterior  part  of  lower  jaw  well  developed.  Interorbital 
space  convex,  its  width  4^  in  head  ;  preorbital  rather  deep,  its  least 
breadth  5-|  in  head ;  preopercle  finely,  but  sharply  serrate,  the  teeth 
near  the  angle  farther  apart  than  the  others,  but  scarcely  larger.  In 
regard  to  the  serration  of  the  preopercle  we  find  much  variation 
among  our  specimens,  some  of  those  from  Cuba,  corresponding  more 
or  less  perfectly  to  H.  serratum,  Poey,  have  the  preopercle  always 
strongly  serrate  ;  while  others,  certainly  corresponding  to  H.  acutum, 
Poey,  have  the  serrations  very  inconspicuous.  The  Key  West 
specimens  are  in  this  respect  mostly  intermediate,  and  none  of  them 
show  any  other  distinctive  character  correlated  with  the  differences  in 
the  preopercle.  Gill  rakers  small,  about  15  on  lower  part  of  arch. 
Scales  rather  large,  those  above  lateral  line  not  especially  enlarged, 
arranged  in  very  oblique  series ;  those  below  more  nearly  horizontal ; 
soft  fins  well  scaled  ;  series  of  scales  from  scapular  scale  reaching 
fourth  to  sixth  dorsal  spine.     Dorsal  spines  stout,  the  fourth  highest, 


154  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

1\  in  head  ;  longest  soft  rays  3^  in  head  ;  upper  caudal  lobe  rather 
longer,  If  in  head;  longest  anal  rays  2^  in  head,  reaching  when 
depressed  beyond  the  tips  of  the  last  rays  ;  second  anal  spine  stronger 
and  longer  than  third,  2|-  in  head,  reaching  when  depressed  nearly  to 
the  tip  of  the  last  ray;  ventrals  If  in  head;  pectorals  short,  1|. 
Color,  in  life,  dull  pearly-grayish ;  belly  plain  grayish,  each  scale  on 
body  above  with  a  conspicuous  spot  of  dull  olive-brown,  these  forming 
interrupted,  oblique,  and  wavy  streaks  ;  head  not  spotted  ;  mouth  not 
much  red,  usually  faintly  orange  near  the  angle  in  young  specimens, 
a  black  spot  on  opercle  under  angle  of  preopercle  ;  iris  gilt ;  fins  all 
dull,  blackish-gray,  the  ventrals  more  or  less  tipped  with  blackish. 
Younger  specimens  have  dark  lateral  stripes  arranged  precisely  as  in 
H.  macrostomum  and  H.  rimafor,  and  also  a  dark  blotch  at  base  of 
caudal.      In  the  very  young,  the  spots  on  the  scales  are  indistinct." 

"This  species,  which  is  not  the  Sailor's  Choice  of  the  South 
Atlantic  Coast,  is  abundant  about  Key  West."  (U.  S.  Commission, 
1896,  page  282.) 

Weight,  2  pounds ;  average,  ^  pound.  Caught :  Same  tackle 
and  bait  as  other  small  fish  among  the  Keys,  and  at  Key  West. 
Edible,  C. 


-•' 


Illustration.     I'ajje. 

180.     "FUNDULUS    HETEROCLITUS."      273  640 

Mud  Fish  ;  This  is  a  worthless  fish,  caught  up  the  Miami  River. 

Mud  Sucker  (G.). 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


155 


C  :- 


•r'^ 


Illustration.     Page. 


528 


1295 


H/EMULON    ALBUM." 

I  have  also  put  this  fish  in  my  list 
among  the  Grunts.  Weight,  8  to  10 
pounds ;  average,  2%  to  3  pounds. 
Caught  in  the  channels  of  Biscayne  Bay 

and  the  Keys,  with  the  usual  tackle  and  bait  used  there,  still  or  bottom 

fishing  for  small  fish.      Edible,  A. 


Margate-fish  ; 

Market  Fish  ; 

Jallao  ; 

Margaret  Grunt  (J.  &  E.) 


182.     PILCHARD. 

I  presume  local  name  taken  from  English  pilchard.      Small   fish, 
used  as  bait  at  Key  West. 


183.     STUFFONIER. 

A  small  fish,  caught  at  Mosquito  Inlet  and  used  as  bait,  especially 
for  Mangrove  Snappers.  I  have  not  been  able  to  classify  him,  but 
presume  he  is  a  Gobie. 


156  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  EISH 

Illustration.     Paejc. 

184.     "TAUTOGA   ONITIS."  596        1578 

Black-fish;  The  Tautog  or  Black-fish  of  the  North.      J.  &  E. 

Tautog;  state,  "  New  Brunswick  to  Charleston,  S.  C."      Some 

Oyster-fish.  people  claim  to  have  caught  him  in  Florida.  I  think 
confused  with  the  "  Sea  Bass  "  Black  Fish.  Have  never  seen  him  in 
Florida. 


185. 

_  „  This  is  not  a  fish,  but  locally  among  the  Keys  is 

Cuttle  Fish  ;  '  J  °  J 

Ink  Fish.  called  by  the  above  name.      It  is  a  Jelly  Fish,  so 

called.      Is  caught  in  nets.      I  have  caught  them  in 

my  landing  nets.      It    is    called  Ink    Fish,   because  when    caught  it 

exudes  a  large  quantity  of  dark  purple  liquid.      It  is  simply  a  curiosity, 

especially  well  to  the  south  among  the  Keys.      I  mention  it  because 

it  is  a  curiosity,  not  from  an  angling  standpoint. 

186.     CRAB. 

_  _      „  This  is  a  Crustacian,  and  only  important  to 

Common  Sea  Crab.  j         r 

the  angler  as  bait.      I  need  not  describe  it,  as  it 
is  well  known.      Edible. 

187.     SHRIMP   AND   PRAWNS. 

Crustaceans,  used  as  bait.  About  the  best  "all-around"  bait  for 
use  on  the  entire  coast,  but  scarce  below  Mosquito  Inlet.  Everything 
will  take  it. 

188.     CRAYFISH    OR   CRAWFISH. 

This  is  not  a  fish  at  all,  but  is  of  the  Crustacea  order.  To  the 
angler  it  is  important  only  as  bait,  as  it  is  the  best  "  all-around  "  bait 
from  Biscayne  Bay  to  Key  West.  It  may  be  said  that  all  the  fishes 
of  that  region  will  take  it.  The  Key  West  market  fishers  use  it  more 
than  any  other  one  bait.  They  cut  out  the  meat  to  use,  and  hang 
the  remainder  of  the  shell,  antennae,  head,  etc.,  alongside  their 
boats  in  strings  of  two  or  more  reaching  nearly  to  the  bottom,  so  as 
to  attract  the  fish  desired,  and  it  has  that  effect.  It  is  grained 
(speared)  among  the  sponges,  sea  fans,  and  rocks,  in  the  channels  and 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  157 

cuts,  on  the  bottom,  and  under  the  mangroves  along  the  shores.  By 
some  people  it  is  considered  equal  to  the  Lobster  as  food,  as  it  belongs 
to  same  order,  but  I  do  not  consider  it  equal  to  the  Lobster  in  edible 
qualities.  There  are  vast  numbers  of  them  caught  and  used  as  food 
and  bait  between  Biscayne  Bay  and  Key  West. 

It  is  hardly  germane  to  my  subject,  but  I  must  digress  a  little  from 
the  angler's  standpoint,  and  call  the  reader's  attention  to  the  beauty, 
wonderful  complexity,  and  high  organization  (physically)  of  the 
animal  he  is  using  as  bait,  the  Crayfish. 

Huxley,  one  of  the  great  naturalists  of  our  age,  and  the  greatest 
zoologist  and  biologist  of  any  age,  devoted  a  book  of  381  pages  and 
81  illustrations  to  the  description  of  the  Crayfish.  The  title  to  the 
book,  "The  Crayfish,  an  Introduction  to  the  study  of  Biology," 
shows  how  important  he  considers  the  family. 

In  his  preface  he  says  :  "  My  purpose,  in  the  present  work,  is  to 
exemplify  the  general  truths  respecting  the  development  of  zoological 
science  which  has  just  been  stated  by  the  study  of  a  special  case  ;  and 
to  that  end,  I  have  selected  an  animal,  the  common  Crayfish,  which 
taken  altogether  is  better  fitted  for  my  purpose  than  any  other." 
And  :  "  The  Crayfish  is  obviously  a  very  complicated  piece  of  living 
machinery." 

He  quotes  from  Rosel  von  Rosenhof  as  follows  :  "  Common  and 
lowly  as  most  may  think  the  Crayfish,  it  is  yet  so  full  of  wonders  that 
the  greatest  naturalist  may  be  puzzled  to  give  a  clear  account  of  it." 


158  WHERE,    WHEN,   AND   HOW    TO    CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER    III. 

LIST  OF  BAITS. 

Clams,  Fiddler  Crabs,  Hermit  or  Soldier  Crabs,  Oyster  Crabs, 
Sea  Crabs,  Sand  Crabs,  called  among  the  Keys  "Sprite";  Stone 
Crabs,  Crayfish  or  Crawfish,  the  latter  obtainable  only  from  Bis- 
cayne  Bay,  south  ;  Conchs,  obtainable  only  from  Lake  Worth,  south  ; 
Shrimp  and  Prawns,  rather  scarce  south  of  Daytona. 

Menhaden,  Anchovies,  Alewife,  Sardines,  Pilchards,  Gobies, 
small  Mullets,  Stuffoniers. 

Cut  Mullets,  cut  Sailor's  Choice,  cut  Kingfish,  cut  Grouper,  or 
cut  pieces  of  any  other  fish  when  the  last  mentioned  four  are  not 
obtainable. 

Small  Grunts,  Porgies,  Spots  and  other  one-fourth  to  one-half 
pound  fishes,  used  whole  for  Sharks,  Saw-fish,  Amber  Jacks,  Barra- 
cuda, Yellow  Jacks,  Sail-fish,  and  large  Jewfish.  Still  fishing  or 
trolling. 

I  carry  a  can  or  two  of  canned  Oysters,  Clams  and  Shrimp,  which 
come  handy  at  times,  as  starters,  when  I  cannot  readily  get  any  of 
the  aforementioned  baits. 

In  the  account  of  the  different  fishes  and  localities  I  have  indi- 
cated, and  will  indicate,  the  appropriate  bait  to  be  used  in  each  case. 


ARTIFICIAL  BAITS. 

One  each  Nos.  4,  4^,  6,  Skinner's  fluted  or  silver-plated,  or 
nickel-plated  spoons. 

One  each  3^ -inch  and  4-inch  calico  phantom  Minnows,  and  one 
each  3^  and  4-inch  silvered  or  white  Minnows. 

Six  each  3-inch,  3^ -inch,  4^ -inch,  5-inch,  5*4  -inch  block  tin 
squids  for  trolling  for  Spanish  Mackerel,  Bluefish,  Kingfish,  Group- 
ers, Amber  Jacks,  Barracuda,  and  other  large  fishes.  The  measure- 
ment is  of  the  tin  part  of  the  squid  only. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  159 

Red  and  white  cloth  cut  in  strips,  laid  together  four  to  five  inches 
long,  fastened  on  to  a  10$  hook,  makes  a  fine  trolling  bait  for  Group- 
ers and  Bluefish  ;  and  other  fish  take  it  well. 

A  long  strip  of  Kingfish,  cut  to  resemble  a  fish,  fastened  firmly 
on  a  large  hook,  does  well. 

Some  sportsmen  use  a  piece  of  red  cedar,  cut  to  resemble  a  fish, 
which  is  a  good  trolling  bait.  For  Spanish  Mackerel,  the  3-inch 
squid  is  the  best  of  all. 


160  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER  IV. 

LIST  OF  FISHING  TACKLE. 

In  naming  the  tackle  for  each  kind  of  fish  I  give  the  size  of  the 
line  and  hook  to  be  used.  Please  remember,  however,  that  in  fishing 
in  salt  water  you  cannot  know  "what  you  will  draw,"  that  is,  you 
cannot  usually  know  what  kind,  or  size,  fish  will  take  your  bait.  You 
may  be  fishing  for  Porgies,  small  or  medium  sized  Snappers,  etc.,  and 
a  Shark,  Ray,  or  other  large  fish  will  take  and  walk  off  with  your 
bait,  hook  and  line.  Usually,  if  fishing  for  small  fish  you  should 
use  small  bait,  as  you  are  less  apt  to  get  hold  of  large  fish  than  if 
using  a  large  bait.  You  will  have  to  use  the  size  and  kind  of  bait  and 
tackle  herein  indicated  for  each  fish  and  locality  ;  and  if  your  fishes 
are  larger,  or  smaller,  than  you  want,  you  will  have  to  change  your 
hook  and  bait  to  meet  the  situation  the  best  you  can  at  the  time.  By 
using  a  medium-size  hook  you  will  be  able  generally  to  handle  a  large 
fish  if  one  takes  your  bait,  and  you  can  change  your  hook  to  suit  the 
case.  On  the  "patches"  and  reefs  outside,  you  should  always  use 
18  to  21  line,  and  4$  to  6$  hooks,  hereafter  mentioned. 

I  advise  that  you  provide  yourself  with  the  following  tackle  : 

One  fishing  rod  butt  with  cork  covered  handle,  patent  lightest 
weight  reel  seat,  and  three  full-length  good  cane  joints  ;  each  joint  to 
fit  into  the  one  butt,  but  tapering  to  different  diameters  at  the  tips. 
Butt  to  be  ii-inch,  inside  measurement,  one  joint  ^-inch  at  tip,  one 
T3y-inch  and  one  /»T-inch  diameter.  The  total  length  of  the  rod 
should  not  be  over  seven  feet.  If  desirable,  you  can  have  each  of  the 
joints  made  in  two  lengths  instead  of  one,  which  will  be  easier  to 
travel  with,  as  the  rod  can  be  packed  in  a  good-sized  trunk,  or  can  be 
carried  in  a  canvas  bag. 

You  thus  have  three  rods  of  different  weights  and  strengths,  well 
adapted  to  all  the  fishes  of  the  East  Coast,  except  Tarpon,  Barracu- 
das, Amber  Jacks,  Sharks,  Rays,  etc.,  etc.,  and  the  outfit  should  not 
cost  more  than  five  to  seven  dollars,  made  of  the  very  best  materials. 
If  you  desire  to   fish  for  the  above  mentioned  large  fishes,  I  would 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  161 

advise  you  to  buy  a  Tarpon  rod  of  some  one  of  the  many  tackle 
dealers.  The  price  varies  from  ten  dollars  to  as  high  as  you  may 
want  to  go.      You  will  also  need  a  Tarpon  gaff,  for  landing  the  fish. 

The  next  item  is,  one  each  Julius  or  Edward  Vom  Hofe  reels, 
3-inch  and  2^ -inch  diameter  of  plate,  and  a  Tarpon  reel,  if  you  are 
to  fish  for  Tarpon,  etc.;  they  are  made  in  three  or  four  different  quali- 
ties and  prices.  Or  you  can  buy  a  No.  3  and  No.  5  Frankfort  reel, 
made  by  B.  C.  Milam  &  Sons  of  Frankfort,  Kentucky,  which  are  all 
metal,  and  are  quadruple  multipliers,  while  the  Vom  Hofe's  are  partly 
rubber.     The  Frankforts  are  much  higher  priced. 

Two  spools  each  of  600  feet  Hall's  linen  Tarpon  or  Bass  fishing 
lines,  Nos.  9  and  18;  and  if  you  are  to  fish  for  Tarpon,  etc.,  and 
troll  with  rod  and  reel  for  Kingfish,  Amber  Jacks,  etc.,  you  will  want 
a  spool  of  No.  21. 

From  25  to  100  (a  full  box)  each  of  Harrison's  blued  ringed, 
Sproat  hooks,  8$,  6$,  5$,  40,  3&  2#,  1£,  and  Nos.  2,  4  and  6.  The 
<fc  hooks  commence  with  1$,  the  smallest  size ;  while  the  numbered 
commence  with  the  larger  size,  No.  1,  and  run  to  the  smallest,  No. 
10.  Say  25  each  Nos.  4  and  7,  which  are  really  Minnow  hooks.  For 
Tarpons,  Amber  Jacks,  etc.,  a  few  regular  Tarpon  hooks  and  snoods, 
and  25  each  Nos.  3  and  4  Virginia  hooks  for  Sheepheads.  I  use  the 
expression  10$  to  indicate  the  size  for  large  fishes  other  than  Tarpon. 

Egg-shaped  sinkers,  25  each  Nos.  4,  5,  6,  7,  and  8  ;  these  have 
holes  through  them,  through  which  the  line  is  run  with  a  wood  tog- 
gle made  of  half  a  match  looped  on  at  bottom  of  sinker  about  14 
inches  above  the  hook  and  bait.  As  the  line  will  run  through  the 
sinker  when  you  have  a  bite,  it  offers  no  resistance  to  the  fish.  Add 
25  ordinary  long  sinkers,  assorted  sizes,  as  they  come  handy  in  some 
kinds  of  fishing. 

Brass  box  swivels,  6  each  Nos.  1,  2,  3.  These  are  to  attach  to 
line  when  you  troll  with  it,  to  prevent  twisting  and  kinking. 

A  few  thumb  stalls  to  put  on  your  thumb  while  playing  large 
fishes.     These  are  made  of  cotton  twine,  knit  in  different  sizes. 

Shark  hooks  and  chain,  if  you  desire  to  fish  for  Sharks  and  large 
Jewfish.     Two  or  three  sizes. 

A  few  extra  tips  and  guides  for  your  rods,  as  you  are  sure  to  lose 
some. 

About  600  feet  strong  Cod  line,  for  hand-line  trolling  for  Spanish 
Mackerel  and  Bluefish,   and  20  feet  or  so  of  steel  piano  wire  for 


162  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

leaders,  which  should  be  about  3  feet  each.  The  dealers  have  them 
of  proper  length. 

About  600  feet  -^w  white  cotton  line  for  hand  line  trolling  for 
Kingfish,  Barracuda,  Amber  Jack,  large  Groupers,  etc. 

I  have  given  the  artificial  bait  to  be  used  in  trolling  in  my  list  of 
baits. 

One  each  4  and  5-inch  Barrel-shaped  Cork  floats,  and  one  each  2 
and  2^ -inch  Egg-shaped  Cork  floats.  These  are  necessary  when 
fishing  over  oyster  beds  in  Halifax  and  Indian  rivers,  and  in  places 
amongst  the  Keys,  when  over  jagged  coral  reef  bottoms.  I  do  not 
use  a  landing  net,  as  it  tangles  the  hook,  and  is  superfluous  if  your 
guide  knows  his  business. 

A  tackle  box,  if  you  want  one.  Do  not  buy  one  made  of  or 
lined  with  tin,  as  it  will  rust  in  "  no  time  "  and  give  you  trouble  ; 
one  made  of  wood,  plush  lined,  is  the  only  one  fit  for  salt  water. 

At  the  close  of  this  chapter  the  reader  will  find  illustrations  of 
nearly  all  the  above  tackle. 

The  above  list  is  calculated  as  ample  to  last  one  person  through  a 
season  of  three  or  four  months  on  the  coast ;  but  each  person  will,  of 
course,  judge  for  himself  as  to  his  prospective  stay,  and  buy  or  leave 
out  accordingly. 

I  give  the  list  because  it  is  an  important  and  necessary  factor  in 
the  "how"  to  fish  on  the  East  Coast. 

I  strongly  advise  you  to  buy  no  "Cheap  Johnny  "  or  "good  as  " 
fishing  tackle,  as  it  will  surely  bring  you  to  grief.  Remember,  that 
salt-water  fishes  are  two  or  three  times  (if  not  more)  as  strong, 
weight  for  weight,  as  those  of  fresh  water,  and  need  the  very  best 
tackle.  I  have  none  but  a  trading  acquaintance  with  any  makers  of, 
or  dealers  in,  fishing  tackle,  and  in  mentioning  brands,  have  been 
governed  entirely  by  my  experience  of  sixty-four  years  as  an  angler, 
which  has  taught  me  to  buy  the  best  tackle  I  can  get. 

I  do  not  know  "Mr.  Sproat,"  if  there  is,  or  ever  was,  such  a 
person,  but  must  say  I  prefer  the  fbhhook  bearing  that  name  to  any 
other  shape,  for  each  and  every  species  of  fishes  I  have  ever  caught, 
from  Minnows  and  one-ounce  Brook  Trout  up  to  Tarpon. 

And  I  have  never  found  any  make  of  hooks  which  suits  me  as 
well  as  Harrison's. 

In  advising  the  use  of  Virginia  hooks  for  Sheepsheads  I  conform 
to  the  usual  custom,  but  the  Harrison  "  Sproats  "  will  do  just  as  well. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 

E.  VOM  HOFE,  NEW  YORK. 


163 


NEW   FLUTED   BAIT 


mm 

mm 


3  VI mJ 


4  i%         4%  5 

n  ,  .   ^     .  „     ..  -15         -15         -15         -15         -15         .15         .15         .15         .15  each. 

Gold,  Best  Quality.... $0.25         .25         .30         .30         .30         .40         .40         .50         .50      " 


164 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 


Nos. 


$0.35 


.35 


E.   VOM  HOFE,   NEW  YORK. 

BUEL'S   SPOON   BAIT. 

l 
.30 


.30 


3 

.30  each. 


CELEBRATED   PHANTOM   MINNOW. 

Made  of  Silk,  coated  with  rubber,  very  light,  desirable  Bait  for  Black  Bass  and  Pickerel. 


Nos.     1 

Length  of  Minnow \Vx 

$0.50 
Extra  strong  treble  hooks.. 


E.  VOM   HOFE'S   NEW   WHITE    PHANTOM. 

The  most  Killing  Bait  for  Black  Bass. 
Nos.      1  2  3  4  5  [6 


1  2  3 

Length  of  Minnow Wx         2%         2% 

$0.50  .50  .50 


5 
.50 


4Jf 

.65 


..  inches. 
.85  each. 
1.25      " 


4K  inches. 
.75  each. 


E.  VOM   HOFE'S   SOLE   SKIN   PHANTOM. 


No.  5. 

Nos.      1  2  3  4  5  6 

Length  of  Minnow Wx         2Vx         2%         3  3^  4  AYx  4]4  inches. 

$0.70         .70         .70         .70         .70  .80  .90  1.00  each. 

THE   SILVER   SAND   EEL. 

Bod}1  made  of  Rubber. 

Nos.    0  1  2  3  4  5  6 

Length  of  Minnow 2%  2%  2%  Z%  3%  4  4M  inches. 

$0.50  .50  .50  .50  .50  .50  .50  each. 

THE   NEW    "QUILL"   DEVON   MINNOW. 

Nos.     3  4  5  6 

Length  of  Minnow Wx  2  2%  2%  inches. 

$0.65  .75         .90  1.00  each. 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


165 


E.    VOM    HOFE,    NEW   YORK. 

SQUIDS. 


BLOCK   TIN   BURNISHED,  WITH   PATENT   SWIVEL. 

1 


Nos.    8 
Length  of  Tin 2% 

$0.15 


7         6         5         4         3 
2%       3       3*4        4       4l/2        5       5%  inches. 
.20      .25      .30      .35      .40       .45       .50  each. 


ROUND   BONE,  MOUNTED   WITH   SWIVEL. 


Length 2       2% 

$0.20      .25 


3      zy2      4      4% 

.30      .35       .40       .45 


5       b%        6  inches. 
.50      .55      .60  each. 


ROUND   WOOD,  MOUNTED  WITH   SWIVEL. 


Length 4% 

$0.40 


5*A 
.50 


6%  inches. 
.60  each. 


ni: 


PEARL  SPANISH   MACKEREL  SQUID. 

( No.  j. )     Same  size  Hook  as  Block  Tin. 


Nos.      7  6 

Length  of  Pearl 3#  &A 

$0.75  .85 

With  Pearl  Spinners 1.40  1.50 


5 

4 

3 

4% 

4K 

5    inches 

1.00 

1.15 

1.25  each. 

1.75 

2.00 

2.25     " 

COLUMBIAN  SWIVEL  AND  PEARL,   BLACK 
BASS   AND  WEAK   FISH   SPINNER. 

On  O'S.  Hook. 

No.      1%      %      %      %      %      %      %      %     % 

$1.75    1.50    1.80    1.10     .90     .80      .70     .65      60  each. 

On  TREBLE  HOOKS,  same  price  as  above. 


166  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

E.    VOM    HOFE,    NEW   YORK. 


SWIVELS 


BRASS  TO  BUCKLE. 


BRASS  AND  STEEL  SPRING. 


ADJUSTABLE  SWIVEL— NO.    1. 


BRASS  SPREADER. 


CROSS  LINE  SWIVEL. 


BRASS  TRIPLE   ACTION 
—NO.    1. 


Nos.      % 


Best  Box  Swivel  (Brass  or  Steel) 

"    Brass  Adjustable  Swivel 

"        "       Triple  Action  Swivel 

"        "      and  Steel  Spring  Swivel. .. 

"    Steel  Hook  Swivel 

"     Brass  to  Buckle  Swivel 

"     Barrel  Swivels,  bronzed 

Rotary  Link  Swivel 

Brass  Swivel  Spreader 

Cross  Line  Swivel,  Size  1  and  2 


% 
.55 


% 
.45 
1.10 
1.50 


% 
.35 
.80 
1.00 
.90 
.65 

.55 


Vo 
25 
65 
80 
75 

.45 
75 

.50 
.each 


ltolO 
.15  per  dozen. 
.55 
.65 
.60 
.35 


.40 
10  cents,  3 
6      "      5 
5       "      6 


for  .25 
"  .25 
"    .25 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


167 


E.    VOM  HOFE,    NEW   YORK. 

PATENT   SWIVEL   SINKERS. 


Nos.    %       %        %  1 

Weight,  oz 6^         6         3^         2& 

$1.50      1.25      1.15        1.00 


Nos. 


Weight,  oz. 


$0.60 


.60 


9 


o 

3 

4 

5 

6 

2K 
.90 

m 

.80 

.80 

J* 

.70 

%  each. 

.70  per  dozen. 

10 
% 
.55 

11 

3 
33 

.50 

12 

A 

.50 

13 
i 

33 

.45 

14 

B'j  each. 
.45  per  dozen 

168  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 

THE   H.   H.   KIFFE   COMPANY,  NEW   YORK. 

FISH   ROD   TIPS. 


It  12  /3  ft 


15  16 


Nickel-plated,  Nos.  11  to  18,  5c.  each. 


Nos.         21  22  23  24  25  26 

Size  of  Ferrule,  inches        %2  %  %2  5/U  Y%  %. 


Nickel-plated  15c.  each.     German  Silver  30c.  each. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST   OF  FLORIDA. 


169 


THE    H.   H.   KIFFE    COMPANY,   NEW    YORK. 

FISH   ROD   TIPS. 


12  3  4 

AGATE   BASKET   TIPS. 

German  Silver  Mounted. 

All  sizes 50c.    each. 

SOLID.  SCREW-OFF. 

AGATE   TIPS.     (German  Silver  Mountings.') 

Size  of  Ferrule,  x%,  %,&,  Hi  K  inch.  Screw-otf  with  extra  Ferrule,  85c.  each.  Solid,  65c.  each. 


"VOM  HOFE'S"  PATENT   RUBBER    AND   GERMAN    SILVER,    FIRST 
QUALITY  MULTIPLYING  STEEL  PIVOT  REELS. 


Back  sliding  Click. 
(Steel  click  cog,  spring 
and  ratchet. )  With 
patent  adjusting  pivot 
cap. 


170  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 

E.   VOM  HOFE,   NEW  YORK. 


S  shape  Balance 
Handle,  Sliding  Oil 
Cap,  E.  vom  Hofe's 
Sliding  Click  Drag. 
Patented  January 
23,  i88j. 


No  2. 


No  4(M.    4.  ty%  inch,  diameter  of  Plate. 

va.  m             "             "    • 

3.  2K                   "                   "     ■ 

2.  m          "          "  ■ 

1.  3 


MILAM    &    SON,   FRANKFORT,   KY. 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 

E.   VOM  HOFE..NEW  YORK. 


171 


S  shaped  Balance  Handle  to  screiv  off,   Sliding  Oil  Cap,  E.  vom  Hofe^s  Sliding   Click 
Drag.      Patented  "January  23,  1883. 


No.  %. 


No.  481.    %.  ZYs  inch,  diameter  of  Plate. 

%.  m  " 

%.  3y8    •<  «  ••     , 

%.  W    "  "  "    ■ 

%.  4K     "  "  "     . 


The  above  Reels  are  strong  and  durable.      For  their  lightness  and  free  running 
qualities  they  are  surpassed  by  no  other  make. 

The  No.  %  Reel  being  specially  adapted  for  Tarpon  Fishing. 


172 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 


E.    VOM   HOFE,    NEW   YORK. 

CORK  FLOATS. 


BEST  BOUND  EGG. 

Length  of  Cork 1    \u    xy    «*    8    2y    %%    3    sy    scinches. 

10    12    15     18     20    25     25  cts.  each. 


SH    8  inches. 
30    35  cts.  each. 


BEST   BOUND   BARREL-^  Len&th  of  Cork,    2^     3     V/2     4  4^  5 

<  ,  T  10      12      15      20  20  25      SO     3 

CELLULOID  FLOATS-Egg Shape jLenjjthof Celluloid.    1^  IX  W    2    2y2  inches. 

CELLULOID  QUILL  FLOATS^  Len^>  of  Celluloid 


2% 


4       4J^  inches. 
12       35  cts.  each. 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  173 

SPROAT  — HIGHEST   GRADE,  BLUED   AND   RINGED.     ENG. 

Quality  ATo.  j6joi^. 


« 


174 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


E.  VOM  HOFE,  NEW  YORK. 

ROD   MOUNTINGS. 

FINE   GERMAN    SILVER   BELL   GUIDE. 


5  4  3  2  1  % 

German  Silver  Bell  Guide,  Vn  to  6 15  cents  each,  $1.50  per  dozen. 

Not  less  than  l/2  dozen  at  dozen  rate. 


E.   VOM    HOFE'S   ACME   GUIDES. 


These  Guides  are  by  far  superior  to  any  ever  placed  before  the  public.  For  their  Neat- 
ness, Lightness,  Finish  and  Easy  Rendering  of  the  Line  they  are  unsurpassed.  (None 
Genuine  unless  name,  E.  vom  Hofe,  is  stamped  inside  of    Guide.) 


Best  Brass  Acme  Guide.  -  1  to  8 10  cents  each,  $1.00  per  dozen. 

Best  Nickeled  Acme  Guide,  "     15      "  1.50        " 

Best  German  Silver  Acme  Guide,  "     20  2.00        " 

Not  less  than  Y±  dozen  sold  at  dozen  rates, 

E.   VOM    HOFE'S   AGATE   GUIDES. 

IM  German  Silver  Agate  Guides,  Nos.  1,  2,  3  and  4. 

No.  1,  $1.00;   No.  2,  90c;   No.  3,  80c;    No.  4,  70c. 
~™\'/7fi  each. 

«««^"™*^  German  Silver  Agate  Guides  and  two  bars,  Nos. 

1  and  2,  SI. 75  each. 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


175 


E.    VOM    HOFE,    NEW   YORK. 

EGG   SINKERS. 


Weight,  oz. 


Nos.       1  2 
10J<          6% 

S0.70         .GO 


3 
.45 


4 
.35 


.15 


1  Jfi  each. 

.10       .10  per  dozen. 


For  the  benefit  of  my  readers  in  the  South  and  West,  and  the 
dealers  in  those  sections,  I  will  say  that  the  Simmons  Hardware  Com- 
pany of  Saint  Louis  keep  a  full  assortment  of  Hall's  lines,  Harri- 
son's hooks,  the  Vom  Hofe's  and  Milam's  reels,  and  a  full  line  of  all 
other  first-class  fishing  tackle. 

I  mention  the  above  because  the  best  brands  are  not  always 
obtainable  in  the  smaller  cities  and  towns.  If  your  local  dealer  does 
not  carry  the  brands  or  articles  you  want  he  can  order  as  above  and 
be  sure  of  getting  them. 


176  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW    TO   CATCH  FISH 

CHAPTER  V. 

LIST    OF    FISHING   LOCALITIES  ON   THE    EAST   COAST. 

Before  entering  upon  "  where  to  fish,"  I  wish  to  state,  and  empha- 
size the  fact,  that  the  season  of  the  year,  and  the  weather  at  all 
seasons,  must  be  reckoned  with  by  the  angler,  as  they  have  a  most 
decided  effect  upon  fishes  as  well  as  upon  all  other  animals. 

It  does  not  follow  that  because  you  have  visited  a  certain  place  at 
one  time  and  had  abundant  success  that  you  can  at  any  time  after- 
ward visit  the  same  place  and  do  well,  unless  you  happen  to  meet 
like  conditions,  especially  in  the  weather  and  tides.  As  a  general 
statement  for  the  entire  coast,  at  the  beginning  of  a  "Norther,"  or 
during  its  continuance,  you  may  as  well  "hang  up  your  fiddle  and 
your  bow,"  as  regards  the  greatest  variety  of  fishes,  still  or  bottom 
fishing  ;  and  generally  an  unusual  cool  or  cold  winter  lessens  the 
number  of  fishes  caught  with  hook  and  line  very  materially. 

I  have  known  winters  during  which  there  were  very  few  fish  caught 
in  the  months  of  January  and  February  at  Mosquito  Inlet  and  Indian 
River  Inlet,  while  during  the  preceding  and  succeeding  winters  the 
anglers  had  great  success  in  the  same  months. 

From  Jupiter  Inlet  south  the  above  does  not  hold  good  to  the 
same  extent,  owing,  I  presume,  to  the  proximity  of  the  Gulf  Stream 
to  the  shore  line,  as  it  comes  very  near  to  the  shore  at  Jupiter,  and 
from  there  gradually  leaves  it  until  at  Biscayne  Bay  it  is  four  to  five 
miles  off  shore  ;  still,  it  makes  quite  a  difference  all  the  way  down. 
I  have,  however,  been  at  the  cuts  and  passes,  south  of  Miami,  many 
times  when  I  had  difficulty  in  getting  enough  fish  to  eat ;  while  after 
two  or  three  warm  days  I  could  "  load  a  boat  "  at  the  same  places, 
if  I  desired. 

There  are,  however,  some  exceptions  to  the  above,  as  Kingfish, 
Spanish  Mackerel,  and  some  of  the  other  fishes  will  take  a  troll  out- 
side Biscayne  Bay  and  north  to  Jupiter  just  about  as  well  (and  I  have 
sometimes  thought  better)  in  cool  weather  as  in  warm  ;  and  the  same 
is  true  with  Bluefish  in  Lake  Worth,  and  inside  at  Jupiter.  I  have 
often  trolled  in  Lake  Worth  in   cold  weather  for  Bluefish  and  have 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  Ill 

done  well  ;   this  was  the  case  before  and  after  the  "  freeze  "  of  Feb- 
ruary 8,  1895. 

The  tides  also  must  be  reckoned  with  by  the  angler,  especially  on 
the  bars,  and  in  the  passes,  inlets,  and  creeks,  leading  from  the  inside 
waters  out  into  the  ocean. 

In  all  of  them,  from  the  north  end  of  Biscayne  Bay  to  Mayport 
(mouth  of  the  St.  Johns  River)  on  the  north,  more  fish  can  usually 
be  caught  on  the  last  two  hours  of  the  ' '  ebb  ' '  and  the  first  two 
hours  of  the  "flow"  than  in  all  the  balance  of  the  day;  this  is  a 
well-known  fact  among  all  sea-fish  anglers,  North  and  South.  How- 
ever, as  you  go  south  from  Miami  the  above  is  not  quite  as  impor- 
tant as  to  the  north,  and  its  effect  lessens  very  materially  among  the 
inside  waters  of  the  Bay  of  Florida,  of  which  Biscayne  Bay  is  really 
the  northern  end.  And  as  you  get  beyond  the  influence  of  the  tides 
coming  in  at  Mosquito  Inlet  and  Indian  River  Inlet,  the  fishing  is 
not  so  much  affected. 

It  is  well  for  me  to  here  explain  that  the  openings  from  the  inside 
waters  out  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean  are  called  by  many  different  names, 
as  follows,  viz  :  The  mouth  of  the  St.  Johns  River  is  called  "St. 
Johns  Bar";  at  St.  Augustine,  the  opening  is  called  "Saint  Augus- 
tine Inlet  ";  then,  to  the  south,  the  next  is  "  Mosquito  Inlet  ";  then 
"  Indian  River  Inlet,"  with  "  Fort  Pierce  Cut  "  (now  closed),  "Nig- 
ger Cut,"  "Garfield  Cut,"  and  "  Blue  Hole  Cut,"  leading  from  the 
river  to  the  inlet ;  then,  twenty  miles  south,  "Gilbert's  Bar";  then 
"Jupiter  Inlet"  (now  closed),  "Lake  Worth  Inlet,"  "  Hillsboro 
Inlet,"  and  "  New  River  Inlet."  Then,  from  Biscayne  Bay,  "  Norris 
Cut,"  "  Bears  Cut,"  "  Cape  Florida  Pass,"  "  Soldier  Key  Passes," 
"Ragged  Keys  Passes,"  "  Sands  Cut. "  The  next  ones  are  called 
creeks,  as  "Caesar's  Creek,"  "  Broad  Creek,"  "  Angel  Fish  Creek," 
and  "  Tavernier  Creek,"  the  latter  at  south  end  of  Key  Largo. 

From  the  latter  point  the  openings  are  called  channels,  such  as 
"Upper  Matacumbe  Channel,"  "Boca  Chica  Channel, "  etc.,  etc. 

At  the  close  of  the  list  of  "  Fishing  Localities  "  I  have  placed  a 
list  of  hotels  and  boarding  houses,  nearly  all  of  which  are  taken  from 
the  folder  of  the  Florida  East  Coast  Railway,  season  of  1900-1901, 
entitled  "  East  Coast  of  Florida  Hotel  List  and  Information  Folder," 
that  Company  having  kindly  given  me  permission  to  use  the  same.  I 
also  desire  to  acknowledge  my  obligation  to  the  same  Company  for 
the  use  of  the  map  which  is  a  part  of  this  book. 


178  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER  VI. 

MAYPORT,  MOUTH  OF  SAINT  JOHNS  RIVER. 

This  place  is  about  twenty  miles  east  of  Jacksonville,  on  the 
Florida  East  Coast  Line. 

The  best  season  here  is  from  April  1st  to  November  1st.  The 
fishes  are,  Mullet,  Channel  Bass,  Spotted  Sea  Trout,  Drum,  Sheeps- 
head,  Cavalle,  Bluefish  (small  and  medium  size),  Blackfish  (Sea  Bass, 
not  the  Tautog),  Whiting,  Croaker,  Yellow  Tail  (the  Mademoiselle 
Yellow  Tail),  Pigfish,  Sailor's  Choice,  Spots,  Flounders,  Sharks, 
Rays,  Catfish  and  Shad  ;  the  last  named,  during  the  winter,  caught 
with  nets  and  seines. 

From  November  1st  to  April  1st,  Sheepshead,  Blackfish,  Whiting, 
Drum,  Sailor's  Choice,  Flounders,  Pigfish,  and  the  foul  fishes,  such 
as  Sharks,  Rays  and  Catfish,  are  caught,  but  in  far  less  numbers  than 
between  April  1st  and  November  1st.  After  June  1st,  and  during 
the  summer  months,  the  Tarpon  frequents  the  river  for  a  short  dis- 
tance above  the  bar,  and  Pompano  are  caught  during  the  same  time 
with  cast  nets  and  seines,  mostly  in  the  surf  outside. 

The  best  fishing  is  at  the  jetties,  standing  on  the  rocks,  or  a  few 
feet  from  them  in  a  rowboat,  or  small  sailboat ;  this  especially  for 
Sheepshead  and  Blackfish,  but  while  after  them  you  are  apt  to  catch 
any  of  the  others.  In  fishing,  especially  for  Channel  Bass  and  Whit- 
ing, you  want  to  fish  in  the  swash  channels  and  on  or  near  the  sandy 
bars  or  bottoms.  In  September  and  October,  however,  the  Channel 
Bass  are  plenty  and  will  take  the  bait  almost  anywhere  inside  the  bar, 
and  especially  surf  fishing,  that  is,  standing  on  the  beach,  or  wading 
out  a  short  distance,  casting  your  bait  out  as  far  as  you  can  into  the 
surf.  This  is  one  of  the  most  successful  methods  of  Channel  Bass 
fishing  on  the  coast  from  Mayport  south  to  Gilbert's  Bar.  On  most 
beaches  you  will  need  a  pair  of  hip  rubber  boots,  or  a  regular 
mackintosh  wading  suit.  Some  sportsmen  prefer  to  wade  without 
them.  This  method  of  fishing  can  be  done  with  hand  line,  or  rod 
and  reel,  as  each  sportsman  may  prefer.  In  August,  September  and 
October,  Mayport  is  one  of  the  very  best  localities  on  the  East  Coast 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  179 

for  Channel  Bass,  large  and  small.  Large-mouth  Black  Bass  are  taken 
in  nearly  every  fresh-water  stream  emptying  into  the  St.  Johns  from 
its  mouth  to  its  source,  some  of  them  near  Mayport. 

ATLANTIC  BEACH. 

This  place  is  seven  miles  south  of  Mayport,  is  the  site  of  the 
new  Continental  Hotel  of  the  Florida  East  Coast  Hotel  system,  and 
is,  of  course,  a  railroad  station.  Channel  Bass  can  be  caught  here 
during  the  summer  months,  either  off  the  pier,  "  heaving  and  haul- 
ing," as  the  hand-line  method  in  the  surf  is  called,  or  with  rod  and 
reel,  or  by  same  methods  in  the  surf.  Occasionally  while  fishing  for 
Bass  you  will  get  some  of  the  other  fishes  mentioned  at  Mayport. 
Pompano  can  be  taken  in  nets  through  the  summer  months. 

Sportsmen  staying  here  can  take  the  train  to  Mayport,  at  several 
different  hours  during  the  day,  and  can  "fish  the  tide,"  or  remain 
longer  if  they  please,  and  return  to  the  hotel  for  dinner ;  or  they  can 
drive  to  and  from  Mayport,  if  they  prefer. 

SAN  PABLO  OR  PABLO  BEACH. 

This  place  is  three  miles  south  of  Atlantic  Beach,  on  the  railroad, 
and  has  long  been  an  "  all-the-year-round  "  resort.  The  fishing  is 
the  same  in  the  surf  as  at  Atlantic  Beach,  with  the  same  facilities  for 
the  trip  to  Mayport.  I  was  there  about  the  middle  of  May  this  year, 
1901,  when  the  hotel  was  being  supplied  with  Pompano  caught  in 
the  surf  with  nets. 


180  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER    VII. 

SAINT    AUGUSTINE,  THIRTY-SEVEN    MILES    FROM 
JACKSONVILLE. 

The  best  season  here  is  from  March  15th,  or  April  1st,  to 
November  1st,  and  the  fishes  are  the  same  as  at  Mayport.  From 
November  1st  to  April  1st  the  same  fishes  are  caught,  but  in  less 
numbers. 

The  best  ground  is  in  the  North  River,  in  the  inlet  alongside  of 
the  jetties  near  the  outside,  on  the  beach,  surf  ''heaving  and  haul- 
ing," or  with  rod  and  reel.  In  the  river  north  or  south  of  the 
bridge,  the  north  preferred,  for  Drum  and  smaller  fish. 

From  the  Matanzas  and  Sebastian  River  bridges.  At  the  latter 
bridge  there  is  usually  very  good  fishing  on  the  incoming  tide,  for 
small  Bluefish,  small  Spotted  Trout,  and  Yellow  Tails  (the  small,  or 
Mademoiselle),  and  occasionally  a  Channel  Bass  or  Drum  is  taken. 
Whiting  and  small  Blackfish  are  very  numerous,  but  run  quite  small. 
Sheepsheads  are  quite  plentiful  around  the  jetties.  The  fishing  in  the 
river  is  done  from  the  sailboats,  of  which  there  are  so  very  many  for 
hire,  by  the  hour  or  day.  Rowboats  can  be  hired,  but  the  distance 
to  North  River  and  the  jetties  is  a  long  row. 

A  very  pleasant  way  of  spending  the  day  at  St.  Augustine  is  to  pro- 
vide yourself  with  a  cheap  cooking  outfit,  consisting  of  a  wire  grid- 
iron, frying  pan,  coffee  pot,  and  cups  and  saucers,  plates,  knives  and 
forks,  spoons,  etc.  Go  to  Corbett's  and  buy  some  Oysters,  or  you 
can  depend  upon  picking  up  all  the  "  Coon  "  Oysters  you  will  need. 
Take  one  of  the  sailboats,  go  to  the  North  River,  or  other  place 
recommended  by  the  boatman.  Catch  your  fish,  land  and  cook  them 
with  such  other  edibles  as  you  choose,  and  roast  your  Oysters  in 
their  shells  over  a  wood  fire.  Oysters  cooked  in  this  way  suit  me 
better  than  in  any  other  style,  but,  as  I  have  before  said,  "tastes 
differ."  Try  it  once  and  see  what  your  judgment  is.  Oyster 
roasts  are  quite  a  feature  at  St.  Augustine  from  November  to  March 
or  April. 

At  Matanzas  Inlet,  eighteen  miles  south  of  St.  Augustine,  there 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  181 

is  very  good  fishing,  with  a  larger  proportion  of  Channel  Bass  and 
Sheepsheads  than  near  the  city  ;  and  when  the  Bass  are  running,  good 
success  may  be  expected  all  along  the  beach  from  opposite  the  city  to 
the  inlet,  surf  fishing. 

Boats  can  be  chartered  for  the  trip  to  the  inlet  at  reasonable  rates. 
Some  seasons  a  steamboat  makes  regular  trips. 


182  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

ORMOND  ON  THE  HALIFAX  RIVER. 
ORMOND  BY  THE  SEA. 
ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIVE  MILES  SOUTH  OF  JACKSONVILLE. 

Here  the  best  season  is  the  same  as  at  St.  Augustine,  and  the  fishes 
are  Channel  Bass  (usually  quite  small),  Sea  Trout,  Sheepshead,  Mullet. 

The  fishing  is  mostly  done  by  walking  to  and  fro  on  the  bridge, 
with  rod  and  reel,  trolling  with  phantom  Minnow,  spoon,  live  Min- 
now, Shrimp,  or  cut  Mullet,  or  from  the  bridge,  still  fishing,  with 
Shrimp,  Fiddlers  or  other  Crustacea  bait,  for  Sheepshead.  A  moder- 
ate number  of  fishes  can  be  caught  here  all  the  year  round,  but,  as 
stated  above,  the  best  season  is  from  April  to  November. 

The  Tomoko  River  and  Smith's  Creek,  each  about  four  miles 
north  from  Ormond,  afford  some  Large-mouth  Black  Bass  fishing,  and 
the  rivers  are  reached  by  launches  from  Ormond. 

At  Ormond-by-the-Sea,  or  Ormond  Beach,  there  is  fair  Channel 
Bass  fishing  in  the  surf,  hand  line,  or  rod  and  reel ;  and  Pompano  run 
there  through  the  summer  months. 

I  think  it  well  to  here  say  that  the  term  "river,"  as  applied  to 
the  so-called  Halifax,  Hillsboro,  and  Indian  rivers,  is  a  misnomer. 
They  are  salt-water  lagoons,  bays  or  arms  of  the  sea,  with  a  few  fresh- 
water streams  emptying  into  them  ;  and  are  connected  and  continuous 
from  four  miles  north  of  Ormond  to  Jupiter,  counting  the  Haulover 
Canal  (one-half  mile  long)  between  Mosquito  Lagoon  and  Indian 
River  as  part  of  their  water,  which  it  really  is.  They  are  navigable 
for  light-draught  boats  (say  three  feet)  the  entire  distance  of  182 
miles  (railroad  measurement).  They  have  four  inlets  from  the  Atlan- 
tic Ocean,  namely,  Mosquito,  Indian  River,  Gilbert's  Bar,  and  Jupi- 
ter, the  latter  temporarily  closed. 

DAYTONA,   WEST  SIDE  OF  THE  HALIFAX  RIVER. 
ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TEN  MILES  FROM  JACKSONVILLE. 
Season  about  the  same  as  at  Ormond,  but  the  best  fishing  com- 
mences a  little  earlier  and  lasts  longer. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  183 

Very  many  sportsmen,  and  some  colored  market  fishermen,  troll 
from  the  North  and  South  bridges,  with  Shrimp,  Prawn,  phantom, 
spoons  and  cut  bait,  and  still-fish  with  the  above  natural  baits  and 
Crabs  and  Fiddlers.  Shrimp,  Prawn,  Fiddlers  and  Mullet  are  usually 
kept  for  sale  by  a  colored  man  near  west  end  of  South  Bridge.  The 
fishes  are  more  numerous  in  species  than  at  Ormond,  and  are  as  fol- 
lows, viz  :  Mullet,  Channel  Bass,  Bluefish,  Sheepshead,  Tripple  Tail, 
Drum,  Cavalle,  Whiting,  Flounders,  Sailor's  Choice,  Catfish  and 
other  foul  fishes. 

The  Tripple  Tail,  a  game  fish,  and  one  of  the  very  best  edible 
fishes,  is  caught  off  the  bridge  around  the  spiles,  up  to  thirty  pounds 
weight.  The  colored  brothers  here  call  him  "  Chofa,"  and  "  Chopa. " 
Many  sportsmen  prefer  to  fish  near  the  bridges,  from  rowboats,  which 
is  the  case  with  myself.  During  October,  1900,  I  spent  much  of  the 
time  at  Daytona,  having  Professor  Walker  as  guest  on  my  boat.  He 
and  Capt.  Gardner  caught  sixty-five  Spotted  Sea  Trout  in  one  day, 
from  rowboat,  anchored  at  different  places,  east  and  west,  and  usually 
about  100  feet  south  of  the  South  Bridge.  All  rod  and  reel,  Shrimp 
bait.  I  caught  twenty-five  Trout  on  each  of  several  days.  During 
the  month  we  caught  there  Bluefish,  Channel  Bass,  Sheepshead,  Sail- 
or's Choice,  etc.  There  is  use  for  fish  at  Daytona,  in  the  absence  of 
which  we  would  not  have  caught  so  many  ;  only  fished  two  or  three 
hours  at  a  time  and  not  every  day  ;  and  possibly  struck  it  better  than 
we  can  again. 

On  the  ocean  beach  opposite  Daytona,  at  Sea  Breeze  Pier,  there 
is  good  Channel  Bass  fishing  between  April  and  November,  and  occa- 
sionally fair  catches  between  November  and  April.  One  party  caught 
seventeen  off  the  pier  one  day  in  May  of  this  year,  1901.  The  surf 
fishing  from  the  beach  is  good  there  during  the  proper  season. 

Trolling  for  Channel  Bass  and  Sea  Trout  with  rowboat,  sailboat 
or  launch,  between  Daytona  and  Ponce  Park  on  Mosquito  Inlet, 
twelve  miles  south,  meets  with  more  or  less  success,  depending  upon 
the  season  and  weather. 

PORT  ORANGE. 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTEEN   MILES  SOUTH  OF  JACKSONVILLE. 

This  place  is  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Halifax  River, 
five  miles  south  of  Daytona  and  same  distance  north  of  Mosquito 


184  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

Inlet.  Seasons  and  fishes  the  same  as  at  Daytona,  with  the  addition 
of  some  of  the  smaller  varieties  caught  at  Ponce  Park  mentioned 
below.      The  fishing  is  done  mainly  from  rowboats. 

A  network  of  salt-water  creeks  begins  here  and  continues  on 
south  nearly  to  Oak  Hill  on  Mosquito  Lagoon,  a  distance  of  twenty- 
two  miles,  which  creeks  in  their  windings  form  islands,  on  which 
there  has  been  a  growth  of  mangrove  bushes,  which  were  killed 
by  the  freezes  of  1886  and  1895.  A  new  growth  has  started,  which 
in  time  will  cover  the  island,  unless  frozen  out  again. 

Beyond  New  Smyrna,  south  nearly  to  Oak  Hill,  there  are  islands 
on  both  sides  of  the  main  river,  which  is  there  called  the  Hillsboro. 

Port  Orange  is  very  near  good  Channel  Bass  and  Sea  Trout 
ground,  as  well  as  that  of  many  of  the  smaller  fishes;  fine  trolling 
ground,  both  north  and  south  of  the  village. 

PONCE  PARK  AT  MOSQUITO  INLET. 

Flag  Station,  Spruce  Creek,  two  and  one-half  miles  distant,  and 
120  miles  from  Jacksonville. 

Regular  station  for  Ponce  Park,  New  Smyrna,  five  miles  distant 
south,  and  125  miles  from  Jacksonville. 

This  place  is  on  the  peninsula  (so  called)  on  the  east  side  of 
Halifax  River,  and  faces  Mosquito  Inlet  on  the  south  and  southeast. 
Here  all  the  salt  water  of  Halifax  River  flowing  to  the  north  and 
that  of  the  Hillsboro  River  flowing  to  the  south  enters  from  the 
Atlantic  Ocean  ;  the  Halifax  having  three  fresh-water  tributaries — the 
Tomoka,  Smith  Creek,  and  Spruce  Creek,,  the  latter  directly  opposite 
Ponce  Park. 

Owing  to  the  above  conditions  the  fishing  season  here  is  longer 
than  farther  to  the  north  or  south  (until  Indian  River  Inlet  is  reached), 
with  a  greater  variety  of  fishes  ;  and  owing  to  presence  of  fresh  water 
there  are  vast  beds  of  Oysters,  many  of  them  of  the  very  best  quality. 

The  best  season  is  from  March  1st  to  December  1st,  but  during 
an  average  warm  winter  it  is  very  fair  all  winter.  Quite  cold  weather 
interferes  here,  as  it  does  everywhere  on  the  coast,  except  with  a 
few  of  the  fishes.  Nearly  all  the  fishing  is  done  from  rowboats,  and 
within  one-fourth  mile,  or  even  less,  to  three  miles  from  the  hotels  ; 
sailboats  and  launches,  therefore,  are  unnecessary  for  this  purpose. 

The  fishes  caught  are:   Besougas,  Black  Bass  (up  Spruce  Creek), 


ON   THE  EAS7    COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  185 

Blackfish  (Sea  Bass),  Bladder-fish,  Bluefish,  Bream  (up  Spruce 
Creek),  Catfish,  Cavalle,  Channel  Bass,  Croaker,  Drum,  Flounders, 
Groupers,  Gulf-fish,  Jewfish,  Ladyfish,  Mullet,  Moon-fish,  Needle- 
fish, Mutton-fish  (not  the  Pargo  variety),  Pigfish,  Pilotfish,  Pompano 
(during  spring  and  summer),  Porcupine-fish,  Sawfish,  Sharks,  Sheeps- 
head,  Sailor's  Choice,  Sea  Robbin,  Sargeant-fish,  Snappers  (Man- 
grove), Snappers  (Gray),  Snappers  (Rabirubia),  Sand  Conger,  Skate, 
Spadefish,  Spanish  Mackerel  (occasional  schools  traveling  north), 
Tarpon  (spring  and  summer),  Spotted  Sea  Trout,  Tripple  Tail,  Whit- 
ing, Yellow  Tail  (Mademoiselle).  From  here  the  sportsman  has  all 
of  the  network  of  creeks  and  islands  within  a  day's  row  to  fish  in,  as 
well  as  the  two  rivers  and  the  surf,  both  north  and  south  of  the  inlet. 

The  surf  fishing  has  always  been  reasonably  good,  either  with 
hand  line  or  rod  and  reel,  for  Channel  Bass,  from  April  to  December, 
and  nearly  every  year,  for  a  short  time  during  the  spring,  for  Pom- 
pano and  Bluefish. 

The  latter  are  especially  plenty  in  October  and  November  inside, 
along  the  sandy  banks  near  the  inlet,  in  fact,  along  nearly  all  the 
shores.  At  that  time  there  are  millions  of  Menhaden  in  the  river, 
and  they  make  the  best  of  bait  for  Bluefish. 

During  the  last  October  and  early  November  I  frequently  caught 
twenty-five  to  thirty  in  an  hour  or  two,  rod  and  reel,  small  line,  4$ 
hook,  wire  snood,  a  float,  and  no  sinker,  small  Menhaden  bait,  some- 
times from  boat,  and  oftentimes  standing  on  the  sand  bank  one-fourth 
mile  from  the  turn  of  the  river  from  the  inlet  to  the  north.  The 
fish  run  small,  very  few  over  two  pounds ;  average  somewhat  over 
one  pound. 

This  is  one  of  the  very  best  places  for  Sheepshead  on  the  coast, 
is  exceeded  by  none,  unless  it  be  Indian  River  Inlet.  All  kinds  of 
Crabs  are  plentiful  here  as  well  as  Mullet,  so  the  sportsman  rarely 
lacks  bait. 

Do  not  forget  that  the  "  Oyster  Roast"  is  a  very  pleasant  and 
desirable  feature  here.     I  spell  it  with  a  big  O  and  R. 

Parties  fond  of  fresh -water  Black  Bass  fishing  can  do  fairly  well 
by  going  up  Spruce  Creek  from  eight  to  fifteen  miles,  the  distance 
depending  upon  the  amount  of  rain  and  the  consequent  supply  of 
fresh  water  in  the  creek.  I  have  been  up  there  twice,  and  did  next 
to  nothing,  but  am  satisfied  that  under  proper  conditions  a  reasonable 
number  can  be  caught. 


186  WHERE,    WHEN,   AND   HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

Some  four  or  five  years  ago  the  people  of  Hillsboro  River  residing 
in  Volusia  Co.,  the  southern  limit  of  which  is  a  few  miles  north  of 
the  Haulover,  voted  against  seine  and  net  (except  cast  net)  fishing  in 
their  river.  This  is  done  under  a  State  law  allowing  each  county  or 
town  to  settle  that  question  for  themselves  by  vote,  which  might  be 
called  a  sort  of  local  option.  Before  that  time  the  waters  had  been 
very  much  depleted  by  the  market  fishermen,  who  had  the  very  best 
kind  of  a  show,  as  they  could  take  nearly  every  fish  out  of  the  very 
numerous  creeks,  which  were  easily  fished.  In  a  year  or  two  after- 
wards, the  people  living  on  Halifax  River,  north  of  the  inlet,  voted 
to  close  their  river  to  the  net  fishermen. 

The  creeks  and  the  river  are  still  fished  for  market  with  cast  nets, 
but  they  are  not  so  destructive  as  the  seines  were.  In  addition  to 
the  above,  the  State  law  forbids  net  fishing  within  one  mile  of  any 
inlet,  pass  or  channel,  inside  or  outside.  Both  laws  are  observed  at 
Mosquito  Inlet. 

Notwithstanding  all  of  the  above  favorable  conditions,  sportsmen 
go  to  Ponce  Park,  Port  Orange,  and  New  Smyrna  and  are  dis- 
appointed, and  they  will  be  when  they  strike  a  cold  winter,  or  strike 
a  spell  of  cold  weather  during  an  average  warm  winter. 

Mr.  S.  C.  Clark  of  Boston  spent  a  great  deal  of  time  at  Ponce 
Park,  and  has  written  a  great  deal  about  the  place,  mostly  in 
periodicals. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  187 


CHAPTER   IX. 

NEW  SMYRNA. 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-FIVE  MILES  FROM  JACKSONVILLE. 

New  Smyrna  is  one  of  the  oldest  places  in  Florida,  and  for  many 
years  was  the  only  accessible  resort  south  of  St.  Augustine. 

It  is  five  miles  south  of  Ponce  Park,  is  on  the  Hillsboro  River 
and  has  all  the  advantages  and  facilities  for  fishing,  in  the  very  many 
creeks  north  of  the  town,  that  Ponce  Park  has. 

In  addition  to  the  river  and  creeks  to  the  north,  it  has  many 
creeks  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  as  well  as  on  the  west,  for  about 
twelve  miles  to  the  south. 

The  sportsmen  use  rowboats  generally,  and  sailboats  are  not  neces- 
sary unless  long  trips  are  to  be  made. 

All  of  the  fishes  named  at  Ponce  Park  are  caught  here,  many  of 
them  within  half  a  mile  of  the  hotels,  across  the  river  and  north  and 
south. 

At  the  bridge  across  the  Hillsboro,  less  than  a  mile  from  town, 
there  is  excellent  Sheepshead  fishing  from  the  bridge  draw,  with  hand 
lines  and  rod  and  reel,  or  from  rowboats  alongside  of  the  bridge 
spiles.     Fiddler  bait,  15,  18,  or  21  line,  Virginia  hooks. 

I  think  I  am  within  bounds  in  saying  that  I  have  seen  fifty  men 
and  women  fishing  from  the  bridge  on  several  different  occasions. 
On  many  days  during  the  height  of  the  winter  season  over  1,000 
pounds  of  Sheepsheads  are  caught  per  day.  Of  course,  many  other 
kinds  are  caught  from  the  bridge,  but  the  greatest  number  are  Sheeps- 
heads. Many  people  come  down  from  Daytona  to  fish  here,  and  at 
the  inlet,  during  the  day  and  return  in  the  evening. 

At  Coronado  Beach,  opposite  New  Smyrna,  on  the  ocean  front, 
Channel  Bass  are  plenty,  April  to  December,  and  a  few  at  other 
times,  heaving  and  hauling,  or  with  rod  and  reel  from  the  beach. 

The  beach  is  about  two  miles  from  New  Smyrna,  across  the  bridge 
above  mentioned  and  across  the  Peninsula.  Oysters  and  Clams  are 
abundant  around  New  Smyrna. 


188  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

HAWKS  PARK. 
ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-EIGHT  MILES  FROM  JACKSONVILLE. 

Hawks  Park  is  three  miles  south  of  New  Smyrna,  is  on  the  river, 
having  all  the  facilities  for  fishing  among  the  islands  and  in  the  river. 
However,  as  the  distance  from  the  inlet  increases,  the  variety  and 
number  of  the  fishes  decrease. 

Between  Hawks  Park  and  the  Mosquito  Lagoon  there  are  very  fair 
grounds  for  Channel  Bass.  On  the  ocean  beach  opposite,  Channel 
Bass  can  usually  be  taken  by  surf  fishing. 

MOSQUITO  LAGOON. 

This  body  of  water  commences  eighteen  miles  south  of  New 
Smyrna  and  extends  at  its  southeastern  end  eighteen  miles,  to  within 
four  miles  of  the  Banana  River,  which  is  the  eastern  arm  of  the  Indian 
River.  The  seasons  here  are  the  same  as  at  Ponce  Park  and  New 
Smyrna,  and  the  fishes  are  :  Channel  Bass,  Cavalle,  Besouga,  Croaker, 
Drum,  Flounders,  Gulf  Fish,  Ladyfish,  Mullet,  Pigfish,  Sheeps- 
head,  Sailor's  Choice,  Sea  Trout,  Tripple  Tail,  and  Whiting. 

The  localities  to  fish  here  are  at  south  end  of  Elbow  Canal, 
among  the  islands  toward  the  eastern  end  of  the  lagoon,  and  at  each 
end  of  the  "  Haulover  Canal,"  and  in  the  canal.  More  than  half  of 
the  lagoon  (to  the  south)  has  no  law  against  net  and  seine  fishing,  so 
is  kept  partially  depleted,  especially  during  the  winter  season,  when 
the  demand  for  fish  is  heaviest. 

From  November  1st  to  spring  there  are  millions  of  ducks  in  the 
lagoon.  It  is  known  to  be  one  of  the  best  duck  hunting  grounds  in 
the  United  States. 

OAK  HILL. 
ONE  HUNDRED  AND  THIRTY-SEVEN  MILES  FROM  JACKSONVILLE. 

This  place  is  on  the  west  side  of  the  lagoon,  and  was  the  site  of 
the  Oak  Hill  Hotel,  one  of  the  old-time  sportsmen's  resorts,  recently 
destroyed  by  fire.  Oak  Hill  is  the  only  railroad  station  on  the 
lagoon,  and  is  comparatively  a  convenient  point  for  duck  hunters  and 
anglers  to  stop  at.  Oysters  are  plenty  from  New  Smyrna  to  this 
place. 

For  accommodations,  see  hotel  list. 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  189 

THE  "HAULOVER." 

This  is  the  canal,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  long,  between  the 
lagoon  and  Indian  River.  Before  the  marketmen  commence  their 
work  in  the  fall,  usually  about  November  1st,  there  is  very  good 
fishing  in  the  canal,  and  at  its  northern  entrance  ;  usually  not  good 
at  its  southern  entrance.  Formerly  I  have  caught  Channel  Bass  up 
to  twenty-five  pounds  and  Spotted  Trout  up  to  twelve  pounds  in  the 
canal.  Recently,  success  can  be  expected  only  at  season  above 
stated. 


190  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER  X. 


INDIAN   RIVER. 

There  are  no  laws  against  the  use  of  nets  and  seines  in  Indian 
River,  except  the  one  applying  to  the  inlets.  For  this  reason  the 
river  is  kept  partially  depleted,  but  as  the  large  Channel  Bass  are  not 
considered  a  choice  food  fish,  the  market  fishermen  usually  return 
them  to  the  water ;  large  numbers  of  Sea  Trout  escape,  so,  as  nearly 
all  the  fishes  mentioned  at  Mosquito  Inlet  are  more  or  less  numerous, 
moderate  sport  can  be  had  at  all  points  on  the  river.  I  consider  the 
above  a  fair  statement  of  the  present  condition  of  the  sport  fishing 
on  Indian  River  from  the  Haulover  to  Indian  River  Inlet.  As  the 
above  conditions  prevail  at  all  the  towns  and  stations  for  the  distance 
named,  I  will  have  to  group  them  under  the  one  heading  of  "  Indian 
River,"  as  above.  They  are  Titusville,  155  miles  from  Jacksonville  ; 
Faustina,  168;  City  Point,  170;  Cocoa,  175;  Rock  Ledge,  176; 
Eau  Galle,  190;  Sarno,  191;  Melbourne,  195;  Malabar,  200; 
Micco,  209  ;  Roseland,  213  ;  Sebastian,  215.  These  points  are  all 
on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  and  are  railroad  stations.  In  addition, 
there  are  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  the  following  small  places, 
viz  :  Courtney,  Indianola,Merrit,  Doctor  Whitfield's  Fairy  Land,  and 
Georgiana,  all  on  Merrit's  Island,  so  called. 

The  sport  fishing  is  almost  entirely  done  from  rowboats,  trolling 
with  phantoms,  spoons,  red  and  white  cloth,  live  Minnow,  or  cut  fish. 
The  phantom,  in  my  opinion,  is  far  the  best.  The  fishes  caught 
in  this  way  are  mainly  Sea  Trout,  with  an  occasional  Channel  Bass, 
or  Cavalle.     The  latter  will  generally  tear  a  phantom  into  ribbons. 

Channel  Bass  can  nearly  always  be  caught  (from  one  to  three  or 
four)  by  anchoring  row  or  sailboat  on  any  sandy  point  projecting  into 
the  river,  on  either  shore,  hand  line,  or  rod  and  reel,  18,  21  line,  5 
or  Qfo  hook,  cut  Mullet  bait ;  cast  as  far  as  you  can  and  let  the  bait 
lie.  I  have  always  had  some  success  on  the  sand  point  a  few  rods 
below  Doctor  Whitfield's,  some  six  miles  below  Rock  Ledge. 

Whiting  can  be  caught  on  the  west  sandy  shores  nearly  the  entire 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  191 

length  of  the  river,  but  not  in  profusion,  because  the  marketmen  get 
them. 

Formerly  there  was  very  good  sport  at  the  mouth  of  Banana 
River,  opposite  Eau  Galle.  Channel  Bass,  Trout,  Cavalle,  etc.;  but 
I  have  not  done  well  there  the  last  five  or  six  years.  I  hear  of  others 
doing  well.  Banana  River,  so  called,  extends  from  very  near  Mos- 
quito Lagoon,  on  the  north,  to  its  mouth  opposite  Eau  Galle,  where 
it  discharges  into  Indian  River  ;  the  strip  of  land  between  it  and 
Indian  River  being  called  "Merrit's  Island."  There  is  a  shallow, 
narrow  creekreaching  from  opposite  Titusville  through  the  neck  of 
land  to  near  the  head  of  the  river,  called  Banana  Creek.  Capt. 
Gardner  has  not  visited  Banana  River  far  above  its  mouth  for  several 
years  past,  and  I  have  never  visited  it,  so  we  can  give  no  opinion 
as  to  the  fishing  except  at  the  mouth.  We  do  not  get  good  reports, 
although  several  years  ago  there  were  fine  Channel  Bass  near  the 
head,  and  even  in  some  parts  of  Banana  Creek. 

To  return  to  the  Indian  River  :  Turkey  Creek,  for  a  mile  above 
where  it  empties  into  the  Indian  River,  was  formerly  a  good  place 
for  Sea  Trout,  and  occasional  Channel  Bass  ;  but  of  late  years  I  have 
not  done  well  there.  Mouth  of  Sebastian  River,  or  "Sebastian 
Bay,"  as  it  is  often  called,  was  fine  ground  for  Sea  Trout,  Channel 
Bass,  Sergeant-fish  (snooks),  Tarpon  of  ten  to  twenty-five  pounds, 
and  other  smaller  fishes,  and  up  the  south  branch  for  Large-mouth 
Black  Bass  and  Bream  ;  but  during  the  past  two  years  I  have  not  done 
well  there.  The  marketmen  get  in  their  work  there  quite  thoroughly. 
This  is  one  of  two  "  Sebastian"  rivers  on  the  East  Coast,  the  other 
one  coming  into  Mantanzas  River  at  St.  Augustine. 

It  was  at  Sebastian  River  that  I  figured  in  my  first,  last  and  only 
alligator  story,  which  I  will  here  proceed  to  tell. 

Some  seven  or  eight  years  ago  I  was  at  the  mouth  of  the  river 
with  Capt.  B.  J.  Pacetti  on  the  sloop  "  Hillsboro  "  for  several  days. 
One  warm,  nice  morning  we  concluded  to  go  up  the  south  fork  eight 
or  ten  miles  after  Black  Bass.  We  started  in  the  rowboat  and  had 
gotten  to  an  island  where  the  river  forks,  when  I  saw  within  two  or 
three  hundred  feet  of  the  boat  some  pieces  of  bark  (as  I  supposed) 
floating  on  the  water.  I  called  Pacetti 's  attention  to  them,  and  he 
said,  "Those  are  not  pieces  of  bark,  they  are  alligators'  noses  ";  and 
sure  enough  they  were,  and  there  were  probably  twenty  or  thirty  in 
sight.     Pacetti  said,  "Now  is  your  chance  to  kill  an  alligator  ";  I  re- 


192  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

plied,  "  Not  much  ;  I  would  as  soon  kill  a  hog,  cow,  or  manatee." 
He  finally  convinced  me  that  he  could  show  me  how  to  kill  one  and 
still  preserve  my  dignity  as  a  sportsman. 

He  saw  one  near  the  little  island  and  made  for  him,  and,  as  he 
knew  would  be  the  case,  the  alligator  sank  down  quietly  in  about  six 
feet  of  water.  We  moved  over  until  within  a  few  feet,  where  we  saw 
him  lying  still  on  the  bottom.  Pacetti  took  the  grains,  which  were 
on  a  pole  twelve  or  fourteen  feet  long,  with  a  y3^  or  i^-inch  cotton 
line  twenty  or  twenty-five  feet  long.  We  moved  quietly  over  the 
'gator,  when  the  grains  were  driven  down  into  him  just  behind  his 
head.  The  pole  was  quickly  drawn  from  the  socket  in  the  grains, 
leaving  the  line  in  my  hands.  Well,  that  'gator  rushed  for  every- 
where at  a  lively  gait,  and  before  Pacetti  could  get  his  oars  fairly  in 
hand.  We  went  stern  first  a  few  feet,  when  Pacetti  got  partial 
control. 

We  were  towed  around  in  the  river  in  all  directions  for  ten  or 
fifteen  minutes,  when  our  victim  began  to  play  out.  We  finally 
landed  on  the  south  shore  and  pulled  him  out,  pounded  him  quite 
a  while  with  some  pieces  of  board,  drew  the  grains  out  of  him, 
pounded  him  some  more  and  left  him  for  dead  some  ten  feet  from 
shore.    He  was  eight  feet  long. 

We  went  on  up  the  river,  caught  our  Black  Bass,  and  about  5 
P.  M.,  on  our  way  back  to  the  sloop,  stopped  to  take  a  look  at  our 
alligator,  and  found  he  was  not  there.  What  became  of  him  we 
could  not  imagine  ;  no  footsteps  around,  but  the  grass  and  ground  did 
look  a  little  as  though  he  had  crawled  back  into  the  water.  That  was 
the  only  'gator  I  ever  killed,  or  tried  to  kill,  in  all  my  experience  in 
Florida,  and  I  hereby  promise  to  never  try  to  kill  another  one.  It  is 
a  mean  business,  unless  you  want  his  hide  to  sell. 

Eight  miles  below  Sebastian  the  "  Indian  River  Narrows"  com- 
mence and  are  about  eight  miles  in  length.  Channel  Bass  are 
tolerably  plenty  at  the  northern  and  southern  entrances.  Good 
Oysters  can  be  gathered  at  the  southern  end. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  193 

CHAPTER   XL 

INDIAN  RIVER  INLET. 

Post-office  at  Saint  Lucie,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  formerly 
called  Fort  Capron,  and  "Paines,"  242  miles  from  Jacksonville. 

This  inlet  is  approached  by  three  ' '  cuts  ' '  from  the  river,  called 
Nigger  Cut,  Garfield  Cut,  and  Blue  Hole  Cut.  Until  the  past  year 
there  was  another  cut  called  Fort  Pierce  Cut,  running  into  it  from  the 
river,  which  has  recently  closed,  near  the  inlet,  thus  destroying  it 
and  its  tributary  cuts  as  fishing  ground. 

Season  here  same  as  at  other  points  on  Indian  River.  Fishes  : 
Besouga,  Bluefish,  Carvalle,  Channel  Bass,  Croaker,  Drum,  Flounders, 
Groupers,  Gulf-fish,  Jewfish,  Kingfish,  Ladyfish,  Mullet,  Moon-fish, 
Pigfish,  Pompano,  Saw  Fish,  Sheepshead,  Sailor's  Choice,  Sergeant- 
fish,  Snappers  (Mangrove,  Gray,  and  Rabirubia),  Spadefish,  Spanish 
Mackerel,  Tarpon,  Sea  Trout,  Tripple  Tail,  Whiting,  Catfish,  Sharks, 
Toadfish,  and  all  other  foul  fishes. 

Large  Channel  Bass  are  caught  in  the  river,  about  one-fourth  mile 
from  the  east  shore,  and  about  the  same  distance  south  of  the  entrance 
from  the  river  into  Nigger  Cut,  called  "  Quays  Canal." 

I  have  caught  a  great  many  here  during  the  past  three  years  and 
often  before,  weighing  from  six  to  thirty-seven  pounds,  fishing  with 
light  tackle,  No.  6  line,  and  small  reel.  The  Snappers  and  Groupers 
are  caught  along  in  the  channels  of  the  cuts,  in  the  deep  water  near 
the  shores,  near  the  mangrove  bushes  or  trees,  as  also  in  deep  water 
where  there  are  no  trees.  The  other  fishes  are  caught  all  through 
the  cuts.  Sheepshead  are  especially  plenty,  are  caught  with  Fiddlers, 
Oyster  Crabs,  or  Sea  Crab  bait,  along  the  deep  shores,  usually  within 
a  few  feet.  Strong  rods,  reels  and  lines  are  necessary,  with  Virginia 
hooks. 

From  about  March  15th  till  May  1st  to  15th,  the  Spanish  Mackerel 
come  in  schools  outside  the  inlet,  and  the  trolling  with  hand  line,  or 
rod  and  reel,  with  three-inch  Mackerel  squid  is  grand  ;  of  course, 
sailboat  or  launch  is  necessary  for  this  sport.  Usually  a  few  Bluefish 
will  also  be  taken. 


194  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

During  the  present  season  (1901)  I  have  seen  many  catches  of 
100  to  800  Mackerel  per  boat,  made  by  the  market  fishers,  there 
being  eighteen  to  twenty  boats  engaged  in  the  business.  Their  mar- 
ket is  Fort  Pierce,  four  miles  distant  to  the  south.  From  March  15 
to  May  10,  1901,  about  100,000  pounds  of  Spanish  Mackerel  were 
shipped  North  from  Fort  Pierce,  which  is  also  the  largest  shipping 
point  on  the  East  Coast  for  a  great  variety  of  fishes  caught  in  nets  in 
the  river  a  considerable  distance  north  and  south  of  the  inlet. 

Kingfish  are  also  frequently  taken,  trolling  with  T3g  line  and  large 
squid ;  or  rod  and  reel,  if  you  are  willing  to  take  the  time  to  luff  up 
when  you  get  one  on.  A  Kingfish  cannot  be  held  with  rod  and  reel 
with  the  boat  under  way.  If  you  are  on  a  sailboat  large  enough  to 
tow  a  rowboat,  you  can  leave  the  large  boat,  if  the  sea  is  quiet  enough. 
This  is  the  scientific  way  to  catch  Kingfish. 

Indian  River  Inlet  is  noted  for  its  fine  Oysters.  I  believe  there 
are  none  better  in  the  world.  The  Oyster  Roast  comes  in  here  to  a 
charm. 

Here  the  first  Tarpon  caught  with  rod  and  reel  was  taken  by  Mr. 
S.  H.  Jones  of  Philadelphia,  Capt.  John  Gardner  being  his  guide. 

FORT  PIERCE. 
TWO  HUNDRED  AND  FORTY-TWO  MILES  FROM  JACKSONVILLE. 
This  place  is  three  to  four  miles  south  of  Indian  River  Inlet,  and 
is  a  resort  for  tourists  and  sportsmen  who  fish  mostly  at  the  inlet. 
Rowboats,  sailboats  and  launches  can  be  hired  for  fishing  at  the  cuts 
and  trolling  outside.  The  details  of  the  fishing  from  here  are  all  given 
in  the  account  of  Indian  River  Inlet.  It  is  quite  a  business  point, 
and  is  the  largest  fish-shipping  point  on  the  East  Coast  of  Florida. 

ANKONA,  EDEN,  AND  JENSEN. 

RESPECTIVELY  TWO  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  AND  TWO    HUNDRED 
AND   FIFTY-FIVE   AND   TWO    HUNDRED   AND   FIFTY- 
SEVEN   MILES   FROM   JACKSONVILLE. 
Stations  on  the  railroad  between  Fort  Pierce  and  Gilbert's  Bar, 
and  on  the  river. 

Parties  stopping  at  these  points  can  get  some  fishing  for  Whiting, 
Channel  Bass,  Trout,  etc.,  in  the  river;  and  can,  with  sailboats  or 
launches,  visit  Indian  River  Inlet,  or  Gilbert's  Bar;  the  latter  only 
six  or  seven  miles  distant. 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  195 

Pompano  are  caught  in  nets  and  seines  in  the  river  all  the  way 
from  Indian  River  Inlet  to  Gilbert's  Bar;  Fort  Pierce  being  the 
largest  shipping  point  for  them  on  the  East  Coast. 

GILBERT'S  BAR. 

SEWELL'S  POINT,  POST-OFFICE. 
TWO  HUNDRED  AND  SIXTY-TWO  MILES  FROM  JACKSONVILLE. 

Stuart  nearest  railroad  station,  six  miles  up  St.  Lucie  River. 

This  place  is  twenty-five  miles  south  of  Indian  River  Inlet,  Sew- 
ell's  Point  being  on  the  west  shore  of  the  river  and  at  the  mouth  of 
the  St.  Lucie  River,  where  it  empties  into  Indian  River.  Gilbert's  Bar 
was  an  old  inlet  or  pass  from  the  ocean,  but  closed  many  years  ago. 
About  ten  years  ago  the  residents  reopened  it,  since  which  time  it  has 
been  one  of  the  best  sport  and  market-fishing  places  on  the  river. 
Season  same  as  at  Indian  River  Inlet.  Fishes  :  Bluefish,  Kingfish, 
Cavalle,  Channel  Bass,  Groupers,  Gulf-fish,  Jewfish,  Lady-fish,  Mul- 
let, Pigfish,  Pilot-fish,  Pompano,  Sheepshead,  Sailor's  Choice,  Ser- 
geant-fish, Snappers  (Gray,  Mangrove,  and  Rabirubia),  Spanish 
Mackerel,  Sea  Trout,  Whiting  and  all  the  foul  fishes. 

Bluefish,  still  fishing  in  the  main  channel  inside  near  the  sand 
banks  on  either  side  of  channel,  from  Sewell's  Point  down  to  the  bar. 
Trolling  with  hand  line,  or  rod  and  reel  with  Mackerel  squid,  red 
and  white  rag  on  No.  8  hook,  or  fish  bait  on  same  size  hook,  over  the 
same  water  as  above.  Snappers  and  Groupers,  still  fishing  close  to 
the  North  Peninsula  shore  near  the  mangrove  trees  and  the  roots  (in 
the  water)  of  fallen  trees.  Spanish  Mackerel,  outside  trolling  with 
hand  line  or  rod  and  reel,  with  Mackerel  squid,  red  and  white  rag, 
or  fish  bait,  the  squid  preferred. 

Occasionally  a  few  are  caught  inside  in  same  way,  and  by  still 
fishing.  While  trolling  for  Mackerel  outside  there  are  usually  a  few 
Groupers  caught,  some  large  ones.  Kingfish  are  only  caught  outside 
trolling  with  Kingfish  squids.  There  is  a  "  patch  "  or  "  rock  reef" 
about  one-fourth  mile  off  the  inlet  and  extending  south  about  two 
miles,  and  one-half  to  three-fourths  mile  north  of  the  inlet,  on  which 
in  quiet  weather  sailboats,  launches,  or  rowboats  can  be  anchored, 
and  on  which  Snappers,  Groupers,  and  the  smaller  fish  above  men- 
tioned, are  very  plenty,  and  can  be  taken  with  rod  and  reel,  still  fish- 


196  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

ing.  As  the  word  "  patch  "  will  be  often  used,  I  will  explain  that  it 
means  places  or  spots  outside,  either  where  the  bottom  is  usually 
rocky  or  sandy,  or  on  the  Great  Florida  Reef,  where  there  is  rock 
bottom  more  or  less  covered  with  loggerhead  and  other  sponges,  sea 
fans,  loose  or  fast,  coral,  etc.  The  word  is  used  by  the  "  Conchs  " 
of  the  Keys  and  has  so  come  into  general  use.  Cavalle,  Bluefish, 
Channel  Bass,  and  Trout  are  caught  in  the  channels  running  to  the 
inlet,  still  fishing  and  possibly  a  few  trolling.  Sheepshead  along  the 
north  shore  above  mentioned,  with  rod  and  reel,  Virginia  hook,  and 
Fiddlers,  Crab,  or  sand  flea  bait. 

Pompano  are  caught  in  the  channels  inside,  light  rod  and  reel, 
No.  3  or  4  hook,  2^ -inch  reel,  No.  9  line,  with  steel  violin  string, 
piano  wire,  or  gut  leader,  eighteen  inches  long  ;  and  sand  fleas,  Fid- 
dlers, Sea  Crab,  or  Hermit  Crab  bait.  They  will  not  take  any  fish 
bait  nor  any  troll.  Gilbert's  Bar  is  one  of  the  star  fishing  localities 
of  the  East  Coast. 

SAINT  LUCIE  RIVER. 
TWO  HUNDRED  AND  SIXTY-TWO  MILES  FROM  JACKSONVILLE. 

This  is  a  large  fresh-water  river  running  into  Indian  River  at 
Sewell's  Point  and  opposite  Gilbert's  Bar.  It  has  two  branches,  north 
and  south,  forking  at  the  railroad  bridge  at  Stuart  Station.  During 
the  winter  and  spring  there  are  many  Tarpon  in  the  north  branch. 

During  the  spring  of  1899  there  were  many  caught  by  Mr.  Loril- 
lard  and  guests.  There  are  a  few  Snappers,  Cavalle,  Groupers,  Jew- 
fish,  and  small  fish  near  the  bridge. 

Large-mouth  Black  Bass  and  Bream  are  plentiful  up  each  of  the 
branches,  the  distance  depending  each  season  upon  the  amount  of 
rainfall,  and  the  consequent  supply  of  fresh  water.  The  distance 
will  vary  from  fifteen  to  twenty  miles  from  Sewell's  Point. 

During  the  past  few  years  very  few  sport  fishermen  have  frequented 
the  stream. 

JUPITER  NARROWS  AND  HOBE  SOUND. 

These  waters  extend  from  Gilbert's  Bar  to  Jupiter  Inlet,  a  distance 
of  twenty-three  miles.  I  have  never  done  well  in  them.  There  is 
some  trolling  done  with  spoon  and  other  artificial  baits,  for  Cavalle 
and  Sea  Trout,  in  Hobe  Sound,  which  I  have  often  tried  ;  but  of  late 


OiV   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  197 

years  have  not  considered  it  sufficiently  attractive  to  induce  me  to 
persevere  in  my  trials. 

JUPITER  INLET. 
TWO  HUNDRED  AND  EIGHTY-THREE  MILES  FROM  JACKSONVILLE. 

This  place,  up  to  within  a  few  years,  was  one  of  the  best  and 
most  attractive  fishing  resorts  on  the  coast,  but  as  the  inlet  has  closed 
two  or  three  times  within  the  past  twenty-five  years,  its  importance  as 
a  fishing  resort  has  declined. 

The  inlet  is  now  closed  (May,  1901),  which,  of  course,  shuts  the 
ocean  fish  out,  and  leaves  the  place  an  undesirable  one  for  sport  fish- 
ermen to  visit  at  present. 

As  the  inlet  will  probably  be  opened  within  this  year,  that  is 
before  the  season  of  1902  opens,  I  deem  it  proper  to  give  the  names 
of  fish  caught  there  in  recent  years  by  me,  as  well  as  the  same  infor- 
mation given  about  other  places. 

Season  same  as  Gilbert's  Bar.  Fishes:  Bluefish,  Cavalle,  Chan- 
nel Bass,  Drum,  Flounders,  Groupers,  Gulf-fish,  Jewfish,  King- 
fish  (outside),  Ladyfish,  Margate  Fish,  Mullet,  Pigfish,  Pompano, 
Sheepshead,  Sailor's  Choice,  Sergeant-fish,  Snappers  (Mangrove, 
Gray,  and  Rabirubia),  Spanish  Mackerel  (outside),  Sea  Trout  and 
all  the  foul  fishes  of  Indian  River.  The  Bluefish  are  caught  in  the 
main  channel  between  the  inlet  and  the  railroad  bridge,  either  troll- 
ing or  still  fishing,  as  at  Gilbert's  Bar  ;  Channel  Bass,  Sea  Trout  and 
Cavalle  along  the  channel  near  the  Oyster  bars,  still  fishing  ;  Snap- 
pers, Groupers,  Sergeant-fish,  and  Sheepshead  along  the  deep  places 
near  the  shores,  near  mangrove  trees  and  roots. 

Pompano  may  be  caught  in  the  channel,  all  the  way  between  the 
inlet  and  the  lighthouse,  with  tackle  and  bait  heretofore  mentioned. 
I  have  had  good  success  at  Jupiter  with  Pompano  as  late  as  spring  of 
1900.     The  other  fishes  mentioned  are  caught  in  the  channel. 

I  have  heretofore  caught  Bluefish,  sometimes  very  many,  right  in 
the  inlet,  standing  on  the  shore,  casting  a  medium-size  squid  as  far 
into  the  channel  as  possible,  with  a  Tarpon  rod,  reel  and  line,  and 
winding  it  in  as  rapidly  as  possible.  This  has  been  a  very  pleasant 
and  successful  method  of  taking  Bluefish. 

I  have  also  taken  them,  with  rod  and  reel,  cut  Mullet  bait,  casting 
into  the  surf  outside,  letting  the  bait  sink,  at  both  north  and  south 
beaches. 


198  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 

In  March,  1892,  I  caught  a  Bluefish  weighing  Yiy2  pounds  near 
the  inlet  inside,  with  rod  and  reel,  still  fishing,  cut  Mullet  bait.  I 
was  "high  hook"  just  one  day,  as  the  next  day  a  gentleman  from 
Philadelphia  caught  three  in  the  Bluefish  hole  just  east  of  the  present 
railroad  bridge,  which  weighed,  respectively,  13^,  14^,  and  W}4 
pounds. 

During  the  winter  and  spring  there  is  fair  trolling  for  Kingfish  off 
Jupiter  Inlet,  about  a  mile  from  shore. 

The  Loxahatchie  River  comes  in  here  from  the  northwest,  and 
there  is  fair  fishing  in  it  two  miles  or  more  from  the  inlet,  for  Man- 
grove Snappers,  Groupers,  Sea  Trout,  Sheepshead,  etc .  Just  above  the 
railroad  bridge  there  is  a  hole,  or  deep  place,  along  under  the  mangrove 
on  the  north  side,  called  "Snapper  Hole"  and  "  Jewfish  Channel," 
where  Snappers,  Jewfish  and  Groupers  have  been  plenty.  There  are 
creeks  about  two  miles  up,  coming  in  from  the  south,  where  the 
Snapper  fishing  was  good  while  inlet  was  open.  In  leaving  Jupiter, 
we  leave  the  Oyster,  which  is,  or  was,  plenty,  as  also  in  Hobe  Sound. 
There  are  none  farther  south. 

On  arrival  at  Ponce  Park,  October  10,  1901,  I  learn  that  Jupiter 
Inlet  was  opened  on  the  14th  of  June  last,  by  the  residents  there, 
with  the  assistance  of  the  United  States  Government,  and  that  the 
inlet  and  bay  inside  are  in  good  condition,  with  three  feet  on  the  bar 
at  low  tide,  and  the  usual  good  fishing  inside  and  out. 

Before  taking  leave  of  Indian  River  I  wish  to  repeat,  that  from 
the  Haulover  Canal  south  to  the  northern  end  of  Jupiter  Narrows, 
faithful  and  industrious  trolling  with  a  rowboat,  along  the  shores,  and 
sometimes  in  the  middle  of  the  river,  will  result  in  reasonable  catches 
of  Sea  Trout,  with  occasional  Channel  Bass,  and  when  local  guides 
are  employed  some  of  the  smaller  fish  can  be  caught,  but  please 
remember  that  the  "man  with  the  net"  has  been  industriously  at 
work  on  the  river  for  twelve  years  or  more.  He  has  during  the  past 
four  or  five  years  been  forbidden  by  State  law  to  fish  within  one  mile 
of  any  inlet ;  so  the  angler  still  has  a  fair  chance  at  the  four  inlets. 

I  do  not  like  to  leave  Jupiter  without  indulging  in  a  little  reminis- 
cence regarding  the  railway  from  there  to  Juno  on  Lake  Worth. 
That  railway  has  become  historic,  because  it  was  the  means  of  solving 
some  of  the  astronomical,  mythological,  and  meteorological  problems 
of  the  times. 

As  it  began  at  Jupiter  on   Indian   River  and  ended  in  Juno  on 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  199 

Lake  Worth,  a  distance  of  seven  miles,  passing  by  Venus,  Mars,  and 
Saturn,  as  indicated  by  signboards  on  stakes  driven  into  the  ground, 
it  afforded  a  fine  opportunity  to  the  patent  medicine  almanac  scientific 
weather  prophets,  to  study  the  transit  of  Venus,  and  their  theories 
regarding  the  "juxtaposition"  of  some  of  the  other  planets,  which 
it  had  been  before  difficult  for  them  to  prove.  It  finally  settled  the 
much-mooted  question  as  to  whether  or  not  Mars  is  inhabited,  and 
in  the  negative,  as  there  were  no  people  there,  have  never  been 
since,  and  probably  never  will  be. 

The  road  could  hardly  be  called  a  mythological  one,  at  any  rate 
not  to  its  owners,  as  their  revenue  from  the  road  must  have  settled 
that  question.      "  If  you  don't  believe  that,  ask  Mr.  Flagler." 

Is  it  not  strange  that  the  people  in  charge  of  the  weather  bureau, 
who  have  been  thoroughly  trained  in  colleges,  technical  schools,  etc., 
and  are  placed  in  their  positions  by  the  Government  because  of  their 
proved  attainments  in  their  profession,  only  pretend  to  forecast  the 
weather  from  twelve  to  thirty-six  hours  ahead,  while  the  almanac 
gentlemen  can,  and  do,  forecast  it  all  the  way  from  one  day  to  a  year? 

The  above  weather  business  was  written  because  I  was  once 
awfully  disappointed  by  an  almanac. 

Just  before  Mr.  Borden  and  I  started  on  our  cruise  around  the 
coast  on  the  "Manatee,"  while  buying  some  supplies  at  Jupiter, 
I  picked  up  a  patent  medicine  almanac,  which  I  took  aboard. 

When  I  came  to  read  it,  I  stood  aghast,  as  it  told  me  that  on 
April  1st  (I  may  be  mistaken  in  the  date,  but  April  1st  will  answer 
first  rate)  there  would  be  a  terrible  storm  all  over  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
and  the  south  Atlantic  Coast.  I  hid  that  almanac  for  fear  the  captain, 
Mr.  Borden,  or  some  of  the  crew  would  get  hold  of  it,  and  want  to 
give  up  the  cruise,  desert,  or  mutiny. 

Well,  we  went  along  all  O.  K.  and  the  fatal  day  finally  approached. 
I  trembled,  but  never  said  a  word.  The  day  finally  came,  and  a 
finer  one  I  never  saw  anywhere  ;  the  night  came,  and  that  was  perfect. 
I  then  brought  out  the  almanac  and  read  it  to  the  captain,  Mr. 
Borden,  and  the  crew. 

We  were  all  very  thankful,  of  course,  for  our  narrow  escape,  and 
blessed  the  almanac  man. 


200  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

CHAPTER   XII. 

LAKE   WORTH. 

Railroad  Stations  :  Riviera,  296  ;  West  Palm  Beach,  300 ;  Hotel 
Royal  Poinciana,  301 ;  The  Breakers,  301)4  ',  Lantana,  309;  Hypo- 
luxo,  310  miles  from  Jacksonville. 

This  body  of  water,  like  Indian  River  and  the  other  continuous 
inside  waters  north  of  it,  is  not  a  lake,  but  is  a  salt-water  lagoon, 
bay  or  arm  of  the  sea,  with  one  inlet  about  three  miles  from  its  north 
end.  It  is  connected  with  Indian  River  by  the  Jupiter  and  Lake 
Worth  Canal,  and  to  the  south  with  Biscayne  Bay  by  canal,  thus 
having  a  free  flow  of  salt  water  through  its  entire  length  of  twenty- 
four  miles. 

The  seasons  here  are  somewhat  different  from  that  of  Indian  River, 
because  the  Gulf  Stream,  which  increases  the  temperature  of  the 
water,  is  nearer  the  shore.  The  migratory  fishes,  therefore,  come 
earlier  and  usually  leave  earlier. 

For  the  above  reasons  no  general  statement  as  to  the  seasons  will 
apply  to  all  the  fishes,  and  I  will  have  to  state  seasons  for  the  different 
varieties. 

Fishes  (season  all  the  year  round)  are  :  Amber  Jacks,  Barracuda, 
Cavalle,  Drum,  Flounders,  Groupers,  Grunts,  Gulf-fish,  Bream,  Jew- 
fish,  Ladyfish,  Margate  Fish,  Mullet,  Pigfish,  Pompano,  Runners, 
Sheepshead,  Sailor's  Choice,  Snappers,  Spadefish,  Sea  Trout  and 
the  foul  fishes. 

The  above  fishes  are  all  caught  in  the  inside,  in  the  inlet  and  the 
channels  leading  to  it,  and  also  on  the  "patches"  or  reefs,  about 
one-fourth  to  one  mile  from  the  shore.  And  the  following  kinds  of 
the  above  can  at  times  be  caught  standing  dry-shod  on  the  beach 
casting  into  the  surf:  Barracuda,  Cavalle,  Ladyfish,  Pompano,  Run- 
ners, Sea  Trout.  This,  however,  requires  skill,  patience,  and  a 
continuous  spell  of  warm  weather  lasting  several  days,  so  parties 
wishing  to  try  it  will  have  to  watch  the  shores  and  pick  their  time. 
It  has  been  done  by  myself  repeatedly.  I  have  also  known  the 
Permit  to  be  caught  from  the  beach. 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  201 

The  season  for  Bluefish,  Kingfish,  and  Spanish  Mackerel  is  from 
November  1st  to  April  15th,  varying  with  the  different  years.  The 
Bluefish  is  caught  inside,  trolling  with  sailboat  or  launch,  and  with 
rod  and  reel,  the  best  ground  being  within  a  mile  north  and  south  of 
the  inlet,  in  the  inlet,  and  trolling  outside.  Also  from  the  beach, 
surf  fishing,  and  from  the  pier  at  the  Breakers  Hotel.  I  have 
repeatedly  caught  them  in  all  of  these  different  ways.  All  these 
different  methods  will  not  be  successful  all  through  the  season,  but 
parties  on  the  ground  can  watch  the  lake,  the  inlet,  and  the  surf,  and 
at  times  can  be  reasonably  successful. 

The  Kingfish  and  Mackerel  are  caught  outside  trolling  with  hand 
line  or  rod  and  reel,  from  sailboat  or  launch. 

From  the  pier,  the  following  fishes  have  been  caught  with  rod  and 
reel,  or  hand  line  :  Amber  Jacks,  Barracuda,  Cavalle,  Bonito,  Group- 
ers, Permits,  Grunts,  Gulf-fish,  Jewfish,  Kingfish,  Ladyfish,  Margate 
Fish,  Bluefish,  Pigfish,  Spots,  Runners,  Sheepshead,  Sailor's  Choice, 
Snappers,  Spade  Fish,  Sea  Trout,  Sharks  and  other  foul  fishes. 

The  larger  kinds  can  be  taken  with  a  Tarpon  rod,  reel  and  line, 
with  Mullet  or  other  small  fish,  dead  or  alive,  as  bait.  The  Mangrove 
Snappers,  Groupers,  and  other  fish  can  be  taken  with  Crab,  Mullet, 
or  sand  flea  bait,  and  usual  size  rod  and  reel.  These  fishes  are  all 
(except  the  small  ones)  exceptionally  wary  and  shy,  more  so  than  at 
any  other  places  I  have  fished  for  them. 

Still,  parties  fond  of  fishing  can  while  away  many  hours  on  the 
pier,  and  may  at  times  do  well.  I  have  seen  as  many  as  twenty-five 
Kingfish  caught  there  in  a  day,  with  six  Amber  Jack ;  this  was  in 
1897.  Parties  fond  of  catching  Sharks  and  Sawfish  can  use  the 
clothes  line  and  large  Shark  hook,  and  usually  catch  Sharks  to  their 
heart's  content,  and  stand  a  chance  of  getting  a  Sawfish. 

On  15th  April,  1898,  Capt.  Gardner  and  myself  caught  fourteen 
Pompano  with  light  rods,  small  reels,  No.  6  Hall  lines,  No.  3$  Harri- 
son Sproat  Hooks  with  double  gut  leaders,  sand  flea  bait,  casting  from 
the  beach  into  the  surf  about  500  feet  south  of  the  pier.  Thirteen 
of  the  Pompano  weighed  about  three  pounds  each,  as  they  averaged 
large,  and  one  weighed  22^  pounds.  We  were  catching  them  lively 
when  we  quit,  but  stopped  because  we  had  no  use  for  them.  Mr. 
Allen,  who  had  charge  of  the  Poinciana  and  The  Inn,  weighed  the 
large  fish  on  the  scales  at  The  Inn. 

We  gave  it  to  Mr.  Cory,  the  taxidermist  opposite  The  Inn,  who 


202  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

mounted  it,  and  sold  it  the  next  season.  He  also  saw  it  weighed. 
We  laid  one  of  the  smaller  fish  on  the  pavement  beside  the  large  one, 
and  critically  compared  the  shape,  the  head,  the  fins,  and  the  color- 
ing of  the  two,  and  could  detect  no  difference.  Mr.  Allen  and  the 
taxidermist  joined  in  the  examination,  and  we  all  agreed,  to  the  best 
of  our  judgment,  the  two  fishes  were  identical  in  species,  that  the 
large  one  was  a  true  Pompano  or  what  is  called  the  "Common" 
Pompano.  The  day  before  we  made  our  catch  the  market  fishers 
there  had  caught  500  Pompano  at  one  haul,  as  we  were  informed  by 
several  parties.  We  saw  hundreds  of  them  in  schools  along  the 
beach  for  half  a  mile  or  so  south  of  the  pier. 

Mr.  Edward  P.  Borden  of  Philadelphia  has  several  times  fished 
for  Amber  Jack  with  rod  and  reel,  Tarpon  rig,  from  rowboat,  near 
the  pier,  and  we  here  give  his  method  of  catching  them,  as  follows, 
viz  : 

"  For  Amber  Jack  fishing  off  the  '  Breakers  '  at  Palm  Beach,  use  the 
usual  Tarpon  rod,  reel,  and  line,  with  a  No.  10$  hook  with  gimp  or 
wire  snood,  and  live  bait.  Go  with  your  boat  two  or  three  hundred 
yards  south  of  the  pier,  and  anchor  over  the  rocky  bottom  ;  you  will 
catch  Sheepshead  and  perhaps  '  Spot  '  ;  the  latter  makes  fine  bait  and 
is  what  you  want  for  the  Amber  Jack.  If  you  cannot  get  'Spot,' 
small  Mullet  will  answer,  but  will  not  attract  like  the  '  Spot. '  Then 
anchor  about  100  yards  off  the  pier.  Let  your  bait  run  out  with  the 
current  fifty  feet,  more  or  less,  and  when  you  get  a  strike  let  the  fish 
run  ten  or  fifteen  feet  before  snubbing.  You  will  probably  hook  him  ; 
play  him  as  you  would  any  large  fish." 

Barracuda  and  Kingfish  are  caught  by  same  method,  but  a  quiet 
day  must  be  selected. 

In  former  times  Pompano  were  caught  with  rod  and  reel  in  the 
lake,  some  two  miles  or  more  south  of  the  Royal  Poinciana,  at  what 
is  called  Rock  Island,  but  none  have  been  caught  there  within  the 
past  few  years.  They  are  caught  at  night  in  gill  nets  in  different 
parts  of  the  lake,  nearly  all  near  the  inlet.  I  assisted  in  one  haul  at 
night,  catching  fourteen,  six  years  ago,  near  the  Riviera  Hotel. 

Almost  every  season  there  is  very  fair  trolling  for  Bluefish  with 
launches  or  sailboats,  the  best  ground  being  from  one  to  two  miles 
south  of  the  inlet  north,  by  the  inlet,  to  Pitts  Island,  a  distance  of 
three  miles  or  so.  One  season  I  saw  as  high  as  fifty  to  100  caught 
per  day,  for  market,  by  a  party  residing  at  Lake  Worth  P.  O.,  who 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  203 

ran  up  and  down  the  above  track  with  a  launch  nearly  every  day  for 
weeks.  I  have  never  trolled  there  all  day,  but  have  often  caught  ten 
to  twenty,  with  sailboat,  in  half  a  day,  counting  time  from  Poinciana. 

I  have  done  well  with  rowboat,  anchored  on  the  edge  of  the 
steamboat  channel,  just  opposite  inlet ;  fishing  only  the  incoming 
tide  for  an  hour  or  two.  Cut  Mullet  bait,  6$  wired  hook,  21  line, 
rod,  reel,  and  barrel  float. 

There  is  usually  fair  Mangrove  Snapper,  Grouper,  Grunt,  etc., 
fishing  in  the  north  and  south  channels,  just  inside  the  inlet.  Anchor 
rowboat  in  the  deep  or  deepest  water,  rod  and  reel,  6$  hook,  21  line, 
for  the  Snappers  and  Groupers,  sinker,  cut  Mullet  bait,  bottom  fish- 
ing, no  float;  best  time  "  last  of  ebb  and  first  of  flow."  I  have 
done  well  there  many  times. 

I  have  never  but  once  tried  the  "  patch  "  fishing  and  then  did  not 
do  well,  but  I  have  seen  some  very  large  catches,  consisting  of  three 
kinds  of  Snappers,  Groupers,  Sheepshead,  Mutton-fish,  Grunts,  etc., 
etc.  During  three  or  four  seasons  the  sloop  "Robinson  Crusoe" 
made  a  business  of  taking  parties  out,  not  over  a  mile,  anchoring  over 
the  patches  or  reefs.  In  rough  weather  she  could  not  go  out,  and 
finally  had  to  give  it  up.  Parties  can  go  out  on  very  quiet  days,  now, 
and  do  well. 

The  next  largest,  but  one,  catch  of  Kingfish  ever  made  by  sports- 
men on  the  East  Coast  was  made  here,  the  one  illustrated  in  the  East 
Coast  hotel  literature.  Modesty,  and  a  little  shame,  forbids  me  to 
tell  here  who  made  the  largest  catch.  Very  little  of  that  has  been 
done  lately,  but  the  fish  are  there  every  year.  They  certainly  run  as 
far  north  as  Indian  River  Inlet,  probably  some  farther. 


204  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  CANAL  BETWEEN  LAKE  WORTH  AND  BISCAYNE 

BAY. 

This  canal  is  fifty-five  miles  long,  commencing  at  the  south  end 
of  Lake  Worth  and  ending  at  the  north  end  of  Biscayne  Bay.  The 
waters  and  sounds  of  Hillsboro  River  and  New  River  have  been  util- 
ized as  much  as  possible  in  constructing  the  canal. 

HILLSBORO   INLET  AND   SOUND. 

There  is  no  fishing  in  the  canal  until  Hillsboro  Inlet  and  Sound 
are  reached,  about  thirty  miles.  At  the  inlet  and  in  the  canal,  for  a 
distance  of  half  a  mile  to  the  south,  there  is  fair  fishing  for  the  follow- 
ing fishes:  Barracuda,  Cavalle,  Snappers  (Mangrove  and  Rabirubia), 
Groupers,  Grunts,  Mullet,  Runners,  Sailor's  Choice. 

We  have  always  done  well  here.  The  Mangrove  Snappers  should 
be  fished  for  at  night,  and  within  500  feet  of  the  inlet,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  channel,  about  100  feet  from  the  north  shore.  The  other 
fishes  in  the  channel  and  the  entrance  to  the  canal  on  the  south  of 
the  sound. 

The  largest  Mangrove  Snappers  I  ever  caught  were  here,  near  the 
north  shore,  close  to  the  inlet,  just  opposite  a  lone  cocoanut  tree 
which  leans  out  over  the  channel. 

B.  J.  Pacetti  and  myself  caught  eighteen  one  night  after  dark ; 
one  of  his  and  one  of  mine  each  weighing  10^  pounds;  rod  and 
reel,  21  line,  6$  hook,  sinkers,  cut  Mullet  bait.  We  could  catch 
nothing  there  during  the  day,  but  did  catch  a  few  large  ones  in  the 
forenoon  in  a  small  slough  leading  from  the  sound  into  the  canal  at 
south  entrance,  one  weighing  10^  pounds.  Groupers  at  that  time 
(1897)  were  plentiful  in  the  canal,  and  near  the  inlet,  some  of  them 
running  to  twenty  pounds.  Barracuda  are  in  the  running  water  of 
the  inlet,  but  I  have  caught  none  there.  Reefs  outside,  where  there 
are  plenty  of  fish.  Our  fishes  there  are  returned  to  the  water,  except 
a  few  for  the  table,  there  being  no  one  around  to  give  them  to. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  205 

NEW   RIVER    INLET  AND    SOUND. 

RAILROAD     STATION,     FORT     LAUDERDALE,    THREE     HUNDRED 
AND    FORTY-ONE   MILES   FROM  JACKSONVILLE. 

When  I  first  visited  this  sound  I  had  good  success,  but  during  the 
past  three  years  have  not  done  well.  This  and  Hillsboro  Sound  have 
been  fished  during  the  past  few  years  for  market  with  gill  nets  and 
seines,  so  the  sport  fishing  has  been  very  much  lessened.  This  sound 
is  hardly  worth  visiting  at  present  time.  The  season  same  as  Lake 
Worth,  and  the  fishes  same  as  Hillsboro  Sound. 

There  are  many  patches  and  reefs  from  one-fourth  to  one  mile  off 
shore,  all  the  way  between  Lake  Worth  and  Biscayne  Bay,  where  the 
usual  variety  of  reef  fishes  are  caught,  and  trolling  for  Kingfish, 
Spanish  Mackerel,  Bluefish  and  Groupers,  in  their  season,  is  good. 
Barracuda,  Cavalle,  Runners,  etc.,  are  caught  in  the  surf  all  the  way. 

SNAKE  CREEK,  ARCH  CREEK,  LITTLE  RIVER. 

Snake  Creek  is  the  lower,  or  southern,  end  of  the  canal.  Arch 
Creek  is  a  fresh-water  stream  emptying  into  Biscayne  Bay,  and  Little 
River  is  two  or  three  miles  south  of  Arch  Creek.  There  is  said  to 
be  Snappers  in  all  of  these  creeks,  but,  as  we  have  never  fished  there, 
can  give  no  opinion  in  the  matter. 


206  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 

CHAPTER   XIV. 

BISCAYNE    BAY  AND    MIAMI,   INDIAN   CREEK. 

This  creek  is  on  the  eastern  shore,  opposite  Lemon  City,  and 
about  six  miles  north  of  Miami.  It  is  an  inside  bayou,  or  slough,  run- 
ning parallel  with  the  peninsula  north  and  south.  It  is  said  to  be  a 
good  water  to  troll  for  Sea  Trout. 

MIAMI. 

THREE   HUNDRED  AND    SIXTY-SIX   MILES   SOUTH   OF 
JACKSONVILLE. 

The  City  of  Miami  is  on  the  west  shore  of  Biscayne  Bay,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Miami  River,  and  ten  miles  south  from  the  south  end 
of  the  canal. 

It  is  the  southern  terminus  of  the  Florida  East  Coast  Railway, 
and  the  port  of  departure  for  the  Steamers  of  the  Peninsular  &  Occi- 
dental Steamship  Co.,  for  Key  West,  Havana,  and  Nassau.  It  is  a 
point  of  call  for  many  medium-size  yachts,  and  the  winter  rendezvous 
of  many  of  the  smaller  class  which  cruise  in  the  Halifax,  Hillsboro, 
and  Indian  rivers,  Lake  Worth,  Biscayne  Bay,  among  the  Keys  to 
Key  West,  and  on  the  West  Coast  to  the  Tarpon  grounds  of  Charlotte 
Harbor,  and  other  points. 

It  is  also  the  headquarters  of  many  sailboats,  launches,  rowboats, 
etc.,  for  charter  from  one  day  to  a  number  of  months,  for  cruising 
and  sport  fishing.  Virginia  Key,  the  most  northerly  of  all  the  Keys 
reaching  from  Biscayne  Bay  to  Key  West,  and  beyond  to  the  Dry 
Tortugas,  lies  opposite  the  city.  From  here,  south,  the  inlets  from 
the  ocean  are  nearly  all  broader  than  those  of  Lake  Worth,  Indian 
River,  etc. ,  and  are  called  "cuts,"  "creeks"  "passes,"  and  "chan- 
nels," instead  of  "inlets." 

The  water  is  warmer,  much  more  clear  and  transparent  than  those 
heretofore  mentioned,  and  are  more  highly  colored,  blue  and  green. 
Biscayne  Bay  is  thirty-six  miles  long,  north  and  south,  and  varies  in 
width  from  three  to  eight  miles.     The  distance  to  Key  West  is  143 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  207 

nautical  miles  by  the  Hawkes  Channel  route  on  the  "Great  Florida 
Reefs,"  which  extends  to  that  city  from  Cape  Florida,  nine  miles 
south  of  Miami.  The  width  of  this  reef  from  the  line  of  Keys  to  its 
eastern  edge  is  from  two  to  six  miles,  and  its  edge  is  nearly  coinci- 
dent with  the  inner  line  of  the  Gulf  Stream.  The  proximity  of  the 
warmer  water  of  the  Gulf  Stream  has  a  decided  effect  upon  the  fish 
life,  as  the  species  are  far  greater  in  number  than  farther  north,  very 
many  of  which  are  of  the  highly-colored  varieties. 

As  all  the  species  of  fishes  whose  habitat  extends  from  Biscayne 
Bay  to  Key  West  are  caught  in  the  Bay,  or  the  passes  leading  into  it, 
I  will  have  to,  in  many  cases,  group  them  together,  to  avoid  repeti- 
tion. I  will  say,  however,  that  larger  numbers  of  the  highly-colored 
kinds  are  caught  as  we  proceed  south  to  Key  West. 

I  consider  the  season  from  the  Bay  to  Key  West  to  be  all  the 
year  round,  except  for  the  migratory  species,  such  as  Kingfish,  Blue- 
fish,  Spanish  Mackerel  and  some  others,  which  I  will  treat  separately. 

I  consider  the  Sailfish  a  migratory  one,  South  America  being  his 
home,  and  the  waters  off  Biscayne  Bay  being  the  northern  limit  of 
his  migration,  except  in  rare  instances. 

It  is  well  to  repeat  here  what  I  have  said  in  my  instructions,  that 
the  "Northers,"  especially  when  cold,  and  windy  weather,  sadly 
interfere  with  the  angler's  success,  the  same  as- farther  north.  How- 
ever, many  more  good  days  may  be  expected  here,  as  the  cold  ones 
are  not  so  frequent,  nor  of  so  long  continuance.  Even  in  the  worst 
weather  I  have  always  been  able  to  pick  up  enough  to  eat. 

In  the  U.  S.  Fish  Commission  Report  of  1899,  B.  W.  Evermann 
and  W.  C.  Kendall  give  a  "Check  List  of  the  Fishes  of  Florida," 
which  contains  576  species,  a  very  large  proportion  of  which  they 
locate  in  the  waters  of  Biscayne  Bay,  the  Keys,  and  Key  West.  I 
will  give  a  list  of  those  I  consider  important  to  my  subject,  nearly  all 
of  which  I  have  caught,  observed,  or  know  to  have  been  caught  by 
anglers  or  market  fishermen,  viz  : 

Alligator  Gar,  Black  Drum,  Gray  Drum, 

Amber  Jack,  Blow-fish,  Puffer, 

Anchovy  (bait),  Bluefish, 

Angel-fish,  Spade-fish,  Bone-fish,  Big-eyed  Herring, 

Barracuda,  Bonito,  Little  Tunny, 

Besouga,  Spot,  Lafayette,  Goody,  Bur-fish,  Swellfish,  Puffer, 

Bill-fish,  Needle-fish,  Blackfish,  Sea  Bass  (one  specimen), 

Black  Bass  (fresh  water),  Bream  (salt-water), 


208 


WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


Bream  (fresh- water), 
Bladder-fish,  Puffer,  Toad-fish, 
Swell-fish,  Blow-fish, 
Catfish  — ■ 

Common  Sea  Cat, 

Gaff  Topsail  Cat, 
Cavalie,  Crevalle,  Jack, 
Channel  Bass,  Redfish,  Red  Drum, 
Chub,  Sea  Chub,  Bermuda  Chub, 
Cowfish,  Trunk-fish,  Shell-fish, 
Croaker, 

Cutlass-fish,  Scabbard-fish, 
Dogfish, 
Flounders  — 

Summer, 

Southern, 
Flyingfish, 
Gobies  (bait), 
Gulf-fish,  Spot, 
Grunts  — 

Margate-fish, 

Gray  Grunt, 

Sailor's  Choice,  Ronco  Blanco, 

Yellow,  Boar  Grunt, 

Common  Grunt, 

French  Grunt, 

Tom  Tate,  Red  Mouth, 

White  Grunt, 

Pork-fish, 

Pig-fish,  Hog-fish, 
Groupers  — 

Yellow-finned,  Dolly  Varden, 

Nassau,  Cherna,  Criolla, 

Nigger-fish, 

Rock  Hind, 

Red  Hind,  Cabrilla, 

Speckled   Hind,  John  Paw,   Polka 
Dot, 

Red  Grouper, 

Black  Grouper, 

Gag,  Ajuaji, 

Scamp,  Bacalao, 
Hogfish  (repetition  of  Grunt), 
Jewfish,  Black  Grouper, 
Kingfish,  Cero, 
Lady-fish,  Bonefish,  Skipjack, 
Lizard-fish,  Ground  Spearing, 


Margate-fish,  Market-fish  (repetition  of 

Grunt), 
Morays,  and  Conger  Eels, 
Mudfish,  Mud  Sucker  (Miami  River), 
Mullets  — 

White,  Silver, 

Common, 

Fan-tail, 

Whirligig, 
Menhaden  (bait), 

Moon-fish,  Look  Down,  Horse-fish, 
Mutton-fish,  Pargo  (repetition  of  Snap- 
pers), 
Needle-fish  (repetition  of  Bill-fish), 
Nigger-fish  (repetition  of  Grouper), 
Permit,  Pampanito, 
Permit  (Key  West), 
Pig-fish  (repetition  of  Grunt), 
Pinfish  (repetition  of  Porgy), 
Pipe-fish, 
Pilot-fish, 
Pompanos  — 

Common  Pompano, 

Round  Pompano, 
Parrot-fishes  — 

Blue  Parrot-fish, 

Green  Parrot-fish, 

Red  Parrot-fish, 

Mud  Parrot-fish, 
Pork-fish  (repetition  of  Grunts), 
Pilchards  (Key  West  bait), 
Porgies  — 

Scup, 

Saucer-eye, 

Little-head, 

Jolt-head, 

Little-mouth, 

Sheepshead, 

Grass,  Shad, 

Red, 

Pin-fish,  Chopa  Spina, 

Salema, 
Pudding- wife,  Wrasse-fish, 
Puffers  (repetition  of  Bur-fish,  etc.), 
Razor-fish,  Wrasse-fish, 
Rabirubia  (repetition  of  Yellow-tail), 
Rudder-fish,  Chub,  Chopa  Blanca, 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


209 


Runners  — 

Yellow-tail  Runner,  Cojirera, 
Goggle    Eye,     Goggler,     Big-eyed 

Scad, 
Goggle-eye  Jack,  Chicarro, 
Horse-eye  Jack, 
Hard-tail  Runner,  Jurel, 
Yellow  Mackerel,  Crevelle, 
Running  Jack,  Dollar-fish, 
Tide  Runner,  Blue  Runner, 

Sardines  (Key  West  bait), 

Sawfish, 

Sail-fish,  Banner-fish,  Spear-fish, 

Sailor's  Choice,  Ronco  Blanco  (repeti- 
tion of  Grunts), 

Scamp  (repetition  of  Grouper), 

Squirrel-fish, 

Sharks  — 

Shovel-head,  Bonnet-head, 

Hammer-head, 

Mackerel, 

Nurse,  Gata, 

Sand, 

Sea  Horse, 

Sheepshead, 

Sea  Robbin, 


Sea  Trout,  Weak-fish,  Squeteague, 
Sergeant-fish,  Snook,  Rovalia, 
Schoolmaster  (repetition  of  Snapper), 
Snappers  — 

Mangrove  or  Gray,  Cabalerote, 

Dog  Snapper,  Jocu, 

Schoolmaster, 

Red, 

Mutton-fish, 

Lane, 

Yellow  Tail,  Rabirubia, 
Sand  Perch,  Goat-fish, 
Spade-fish,  Angel-fish, 
Skate, 

Shell-fish  (repetition  of  Cowfish), 
Spanish  Mackerel,  Carita, 
Sole,  American  Sole, 
Ray,    Sting    Ray,    Stingaree,    Whiptail 

Ray, 
Trippletail,  Flasher,  Chopa, 
Tarpon,  Tarpum,  Grand  Ecalle, 
Turbot,  Trigger-fish,  Leather  Jacket, 
Trunk-fish  (repetition  of  Shell-fish), 
Whiting,  Kingfish  (small), 
Yellow  Tail,  Rabirubia, 
Yellow  Jack. 


I  have  added  to  the  list  some  local  names,  not  in  J.  &  K.,  and 
have  not  given  in  every  instance  all  of  their  common  and  Spanish 
names.  Have  endeavored  to  give  all  in  general  use  where  the  fishes 
are  caught. 

These  fishes  are  not  equally  plenty  in  all  the  waters  from  Biscayne 
Bay  to  Key  West,  but  they  are  all  caught  in  the  waters.  Some  of 
them  are  more  plentiful  in  the  channels  leading  into  the  Bay,  and 
some  are  more  plentiful  as  you  proceed  south,  the  latter  being  the 
case  especially  with  the  highly-colored  fishes. 

I  was  one  of  a  party  on  the  schooner  "Privateer,"  in  winter  of 
1897,  out  for  the  day  only,  who  brought  into  the  Royal  Palm  Hotel 
thirteen  species  of  choice  fishes,  which  included  Parrot-fish,  Cowfish, 
Porkfish,  Angel-fish,  Porgies,  Grunts,  Groupers,  Snappers,  and  Tur- 
bot. Our  catch  was  a  large  one,  as  there  had  been  a  long  warm  spell. 
The  thirteen  varieties  were  placed  on  a  tray  on  a  counter  of  the 
hotel.     All  caught  in  Bears  Cut. 

Any  one  cruising  below  Miami  will  soon  get  on  to  the  kinds  of 


210  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

fishes  to  catch  at  each  point,  but  I  will  try  to  indicate  the  most  plen- 
tiful, as  well  as  the  choice  ones,  at  each  point. 

Bluefish,  Kingfish,  and  Spanish  Mackerel,  make  their  appearance 
about  November  1st,  although  a  few  stragglers,  especially  the  Mack- 
erel, are  caught  all  the  year  round.  The  Kingfish  never  come 
inside. 

Trolling  with  squids  for  Spanish  Mackerel  inside  the  Bay  is  fair  at 
times,  but  without  any  periodicity  or  regularity  which  can  be  reduced 
to  any  stated  dates  within  the  season. 

The  best  catches  are  often  opposite  Cutler,  about  fifteen  miles 
south  of  Miami,  and  about  half  way  across  the  Bay ;  and  between 
Cocoanut  Grove  and  Soldier  Key,  the  former  six  and  the  latter 
twelve  miles  distant  from  Miami,  running  to  and  fro  over  the 
ground  following  the  fish. 

A  few  stragglers  are  picked  up  all  through  the  winter  and  spring  by 
parties  going  for,  and  coming  from,  a  day's  fishing  to  Bears  Cut,  Cape 
Florida,  or  Soldier  Key  ;  so  it  is  well  to  always  put  out  a  squid  going 
and  coming.  I  have  taken  them  in  the  channel  (called  the  canal)  all 
the  way  out,  commencing  within  half  a  mile  of  the  Royal  Palm. 

During  March,  1901,  a  large  school  remained  just  inside  the  outer 
bar  at  Bears  Cut  for  two  weeks  or  more,  and  large  catches  were  made 
from  it ;  on  one  day  a  catch  of  360,  and  another  of  325,  with  several 
smaller,  the  number  brought  to  the  Royal  Palm  that  day  being 
between  900  and  1,000,  all  caught  by  sport  fishermen.  Many  were 
taken  the  same  day  by  parties  from  the  other  hotels  and  boarding 
houses  in  Miami  and  Cocoanut  Grove.  That  school  afforded  fine 
sport  while  it  lasted. 

Usually,  while  outside  after  Kingfish,  by  putting  on  a  Mackerel 
squid  you  can  take  them.  Sometimes  when  you  strike  it  right,  it  will 
pay  to  let  the  Kingfish  go  and  catch  Mackerel ;  but  you  are  apt  to 
lose  a  lot  of  squids,  as  they  and  the  line  being  smaller  will  not  hold 
the  Kingfish,  who  will  often  go  for  it.  I  am  inclined  to  think  the 
season  of  1901  was  the  best  the  East  Coast  has  ever  had  for  Spanish 
Mackerel. 

Outside  trolling  for  Kingfish,  Amber  Jacks,  Barracuda,  Scabbard 
or  Cutlass-fish,  Permit,  Sail-fish,  Groupers,  and  the  above  stated 
chance  for  Spanish  Mackerel,  and  sometimes  Bluefish,  with  squids, 
red  and  white  cloth,  live  or  cut  fish,  red  cedar  squid,  for  bait,  accord- 
ing to  the  fish  you  desire   to   catch.      Localities  from  Fowey   Rock 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  211 

Lighthouse,  north,  to  the  House  of  Refuge,  about  fifteen  miles, 
which  with  launch  can  be  covered  in  one  day,  and  by  sailboat  with 
good  wind.  Very  few  will  care  to  make  the  whole  distance  unless 
they  are  after  numbers  of  some  one  variety,  usually  Kingfish.  I  am 
almost  ashamed  to  say  I  was  one  of  three  who  caught  135  Kingfish 
one  day  in  the  winter  of  1897,  on  the  "Ada  B.,"  Capt.  Charles 
Brickie,  and  we  covered  the  distance  from  near  Fowey  Rock  Light  to 
the  House  of  Refuge  ;  it  was  a  pretty  rough  day,  too.  Mr.  Alfred 
Costello  of  New  York  and  Mr.  B.  J.  Pacetti  of  Ponce  Park  were  my 
accomplices  in  the  business. 

As  stated  heretofore,  you  can  on  sufficiently  quiet  days  leave  the 
launch  or  sailboat  in  a  rowboat,  and  with  rod  and  reel,  with  the  bait 
desired,  take  the  above  fishes.  This  is  the  most  scientific  method, 
and  to  those  who  have  fished  a  great  deal,  one  fish  caught  this  way 
affords  more  pleasure  than  a  hundred  caught  on  a  hand  line.  Still 
we  will  all  take  the  hand  line  once  in  a  while.  A  very  good  way  is 
to  troll  from  launch  or  sailboat,  and  when  a  fish  takes  your  bait,  luff 
up  if  a  sailboat,  or  stop  the  launch,  play  your  fish  until  he  is  ex- 
hausted. Or,  when  the  fish  strikes,  get  out  into  the  rowboat  and 
"  follow  the  fish  "  until  you  "bring  him  to  gaff." 

The  ' '  patches  ' '  are  very  numerous  off  Biscayne  Bay,  and  any  of 
the  experienced  boatmen  can  take  you  to  them,  where  all  of  the  reef 
fishes  can  be  caught,  such  as  Snappers,  Groupers,  Mutton-fish,  Jew- 
fish,  etc.  The  Groupers  up  to  fifty  or  sixty  pounds,  Jewfish  and 
Sharks  up  to  almost  any  weight  you  can  think  of,  certainly  up  to  400 
to  500  pounds,  if  you  can  hold  them.  Mr.  Costello  and  Mr.  Miller 
of  Buffalo  took  one  such  day's  work  last  winter  and  got  all  they 
wanted  of  it.  They  brought  a  part  of  their  catch  up  to  the  hotel, 
which  consisted  of  Groupers  and  Jewfish,  of  thirty  to  sixty  pounds, 
and  several  heads,  and  larger  parts  of  the  same  kinds  of  fishes,  the 
Sharks  having  relieved  them  of  the  other  parts  while  they  were  haul- 
ing in.  They  had  hold  of  many  fish  which  they  could  not  "stop" 
at  all,  and  had  to  cut  their  lines. 

Sharks  will  nearly  always  follow  a  boat  trolling,  and  will  usually 
take  the  whole  or  a  part  of  some  of  the  fishes  you  hook.  Of  the 
135  mentioned  above,  I  presume  eight  or  ten  had  lost  all  but 
their  heads,  and  probably  as  many  lost  one-fourth  to  half  their 
length,  this  in  addition  to  many  where  the  Sharks  had  "gone  the 
whole  hog." 


212  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

Ball  Brothers  of  the  schooner  "Privateer"  have  invented  a 
method  of  not  catching  Kingfish,  which  affords  the  same  sport  as 
catching  them,  and  gives  the  Kingfishes  themselves  opportunity  of 
joining  in  the  amusement.  The  device  is  simply  the  regular  King- 
fish  squid  with  the  hook  entirely  broken  off. 

Of  course,  the  fishes  will  jump  at  this  just  the  same  as  they  will 
if  the  hook  were  on,  knocking  the  squid  sky  high,  and  while  Ball 
Brothers  and  their  "parties"  laugh,  the  Kingfishes  can  join  in  the 
hilarity  of  the  occasion. 

There  is  fair  trolling  with  rowboat,  hand  line,  or  rod  and  reel, 
phantom,  spoon,  cut  strip  of  fish  or  Minnow  bait,  along  the  west 
shore,  any  distance  north  and  south  of  the  Royal  Palm.  Fishes  are 
Spotted  Trout  mostly,  with  occasional  Groupers,  Cavalle,  and  some 
of  the  smaller  fishes. 

Up  the  Miami  River  affords  about  the  same  sport,  with  an  occa- 
sional small  Channel  Bass,  and  the  Mudfish  or  Mud-sucker  is  caught, 
mostly,  by  the  colored  people. 

Above  the  rapids  a  few  small  Black  Bass  (large  mouth)  and  Bream 
(fresh  water)  can  be  caught,  but  the  trip  of  five  miles  is  not  worth 
the  candle,  as  far  as  the  fishing  is  concerned.  The  water  has  been 
overfished. 

Groupers,  Grunts,  Porgies,  etc. ,  can  be  caught,  with  rod  and  reel, 
1$,  2$,  3fo,  4fo  hooks,  small  line,  cut  Mullet,  or  Crab  bait,  opposite 
the  Royal  Palm,  and  just  east  of  the  main  steamboat  channel  (or 
canal),  at  any  place  where  there  is  rock  bottom,  or  patches,  the  whole 
length  of  the  canal.  As  the  distance  is  less  than  a  mile  from  the  hotel 
to  the  first  grounds,  it  is  handy  for  a  rowboat  fish  of  half  a  day. 

Quite  small  Mangrove  Snappers  are  caught  in  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  and  toward  night,  from  the  dock ;  but  they  are  hardly  worthy 
of  attention. 

About  three  miles  south  of  Cocoanut  Grove,  in  Snapper  Creek, 
Mangrove  Snappers  up  to  two  pounds,  and  plenty  of  Grunts,  are 
caught. 

Black  Creek,  about  sixteen  miles  south  of  Miami,  is  a  very  fine 
stream  (or  everglade  slough)  for  Large-mouth  Black  Bass  and  Bream 
(fresh  water).  The  stream  where  it  comes  into  a  small  bay  is  very 
narrow  and  sinuous  for  about  four  miles,  when  it  opens  into  some 
comparatively  broad  water.  There  is  barely  enough  width  and  water 
to  push  a  skiff  through  the  creek  to  reach  the  fishing  ground,  but  it  is 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  213 

worth  the  trouble  if  you  are  fond  of  Black  Bass  and  Bream  fishing. 
During  my  one  visit  to  the  creek  I  used  a  small  phantom,  a  small 
spoon,  very  small  Bream,  which  I  caught  with  a  worm  taken  out  of 
the  decayed  tops  of  the  flag  stems,  cut  Mullet,  fishing  with  an  Ocono- 
mowoc  Henshall  rod,  6^  feet  long,  silk  line,  Nos.  2  and  3  Harrison 
Sproat  gut  snood  hooks,  and  all  casting,  no  room  for  trolling.  I  also 
did  well  with  flies  and  fly  rod,  medium  size  Parmachene  Belle,  Brown 
Hackle,  Montreal,  Ibis,  and  Miller.  They  took  any  and  everything 
I  offered  them,  as  the  Black  Bass  of  all  these  everglade  streams  will 
do  until  they  have  been  fished  for  considerably.  I  had  with  me,  as 
additional  guide,  Eddie  Pent  of  Cocoanut  Grove.  I  did  the  same  as 
above  in  the  Miami  River,  just  above  the  rapids,  nine  years  ago. 

Some  Tarpon  have  been  taken  in  Biscayne  Bay  north  of  Miami, 
but  I  have  never  caught  any  there.  I  have  tried  them  at  Norris  Cut, 
just  inside  the  channel,  where  I  saw  many,  in  fact  was  right  in  a  school 
of  them  there  several  times,  but  never  could  catch  one,  and  I  know 
of  no  one  who  has  been  able  to  take  one.  Have  made  diligent 
inquiry  without  success.  Neither  have  I  been  able  to  get  any  detailed 
information  as  to  anyone's  success  in  the  northern  part  of  the  bay. 
The  Tarpon  are  there  in  plenty,  and  I  have  seen  them. 

There  are  Bonefish,  Barracuda,  Trout,  and  Cavalle  all  along  the 
west  shore  of  the  bay  south  to  Arsenecker  Keys,  which  are  on  the 
west  side,  about  twenty-six  miles  from  Miami,  and  south  of  these 
seven  miles  to  Card  Point.  And  there  are  the  same  fishes,  with  the 
addition  of  Channel  Bass  and  Mullet,  in  the  small  bays  of  the  west 
side.  I  have  caught  all  these  fishes  on  the  shores,  and  in  some  of  the 
small  bays,  with  the  tackle  and  bait  mentioned  for  each. 

In  my  opinion,  the  greatest  attraction  for  the  angler  in  this 
region,  and  in  fact  from  here  to  Key  West,  lies  in  the  waters  of  the 
passes,  cuts,  creeks,  and  channels  between  the  ocean  and  the  inside 
bays.  So  I  will  now  commence  to  give  in  detail  the  waters  I  have 
fished  in  among  the  Keys  from  Norris  Cut  to  Key  West. 

My  statements  of  distances  are  calculated  in  nautical  miles  from 
the  charts  of  the  United  States  Geodetic  Survey,  and  are  direct  from 
point  to  point ;  making  no  allowance  for  the  necessary  deviations  in 
navigation,  and  I  ignore  fractions  of  miles. 


214  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

NORRIS    CUT. 

THREE  MILES  SOUTHEAST  OF  MIAMI. 

The  fishes  here  are  Bonefish,  Bluefish  (rare),  Barracuda,  Cavalle, 
Groupers,  Grunts,  Sand  Perch  (Goatfish),  Pompano  (rare),  Porgies, 
Sailor's  Choice,  Snappers,  Tarpon. 

BEARS    CUT. 

FOUR  MILES  SOUTHEAST  OF  MIAMI. 

The  fishes  are  Angelfish,  Spadefish,  Blackfish  (Sea  Bass),  one 
specimen,  Bonefish,  caught  in  the  sand  bars  or  "banks"  inside,  on 
each  side  of  the  channel,  Bream  (salt  water),  Barracuda,  Cavalle, 
Sea  Trout,  Sea  Chub,  Cowfish,  Groupers,  Grunts  of  all  varieties, 
Sand  Perch,  Lizard-fish,  Margate-fish,  Mutton-fish,  Pigfish,  Spots, 
Parrot-fish  in  three  varieties,  Pompano,  Porkfish,  Porgies  of  all 
varieties,  Runners,  Sailor's  Choice,  Snappers,  Schoolmaster,  Turbot, 
or  Trigger-fish,  Yellow  Tail  and  all  the  foul  fishes. 

See  method  of  catching  these  fishes  under  their  description. 

Here  you  will  begin  to  need  the  Conch  and  Crawfish  baits,  as 
they  are  both  good  all  the  way  to  Key  West. 

The  Conch  shells  are  picked  up  in  shallow  water,  say  two  or  three 
feet  deep,  and  can  usually  be  found  at  all  passes,  cuts,  etc.,  either 
outside  or  inside.  And  you  will  also  now  need  "grains,"  which  is 
a  two-pronged  fish  spear,  made  of  A  No.  1  cast  steel.  The  best  are 
made  by  a  blacksmith  at  Cocoanut  Grove,  whose  name  I  do  not 
know.  Those  bought  at  the  dealers  are  usually  "no  good."  Some 
dealers  may  have  good  ones,  but  I  have  never  been  fortunate  enough 
to  buy  one  worth  one  cent.  When  you  need  grains  you  need 
'em  bad,  especially  when  you  are  "forty  miles  from  nowhere," 
down  among  the  Keys.  You  can  buy  grain  handles  in  Miami  or 
Cocoanut  Grove. 

You  will  also  need  a  "  water  glass, "  which  is  simply  a  common 
wood  bucket  with  a  glass  bottom.  The  dealers  can  usually  have  one 
made  if  they  have  none  in  stock.  Try  to  get  one  made  of  white 
cedar,  unpainted,  and  with  brass  hoops,  as  it  will  last  much  longer. 
Get  one  or  two  extra  glasses,  as  they  are  apt  to  get  broken.  The 
grains  are  to  grain  the  Crawfish,  which  lie  on  the  bottom  all  the  way 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  215 

from  two  or  three  feet  to  ten,  so  the  grain  handles  should  be  twelve 
to  fourteen  feet  long.  The  boatmen  go  out  with  the  rowboat,  and 
lean  over  the  stern  looking  through  the  water  glass,  and  spear  the 
Crawfish  on  the  bottom  and  under  the  mangroves  along  the  shores. 
Usually  it  takes  two  men,  one  to  handle  the  boat,  while  the  other 
hunts  for  and  grains  the  Crawfish. 

The  grains  are  also  used  by  the  "  Conchs  "  to  spear  fishes,  such 
as  Snappers,  Groupers,  and  other  larger  kinds.  They  call  it 
"striking"  instead  of  graining  or  spearing.  Some  of  the  guides 
and  boatmen  indulge  in  the  same  ' '  sport. ' ' 

The  water  from  here  down  is  quite  clear,  so  that  in  places  on 
quiet  days  the  bottom  and  fishes,  sea  fans,  sponges,  corals,  etc.,  can 
be  seen  twenty  feet  or  more  down.  I  believe  that  the  "spongers" 
get  sponges  with  hooks  over  twenty  feet  down,  and  they  all  use  the 
water  glass. 


216  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER   XV. 

CAPE  FLORIDA. 
ABOUT  EIGHT  MILES  FROM  MIAMI. 

Here  there  are  ten  channels  marked  on  the  chart,  within  a  dis- 
tance of  about  four  miles  from  north  to  south,  the  most  northern  one 
running  alongside  Key  Biscayne.  The  main  channel  has  been 
dredged  out,  and  beaconed  (I  presume)  by  Mr.  Flagler  at  his  own 
expense,  for  use  of  his  vessels,  as  well  as  those  of  Uncle  Sam,  and 
all  comers,  foreign  and  home  alike. 

"Uncle  Henry  "  has  done  as  much  (or  more)  for  the  East  Coast, 
in  fact  for  the  whole  State,  as  ' '  Uncle  Sam ' '  has  done  during  the 
whole  time  he  has  been  in  possession. 

In  the  Steamboat  Channel,  as  the  main  one  is  called,  there  is 
rather  the  best  fishing  on  the  north  side  near  the  present  largest  bea- 
con, say  200  feet  west  of  it.  Here  you  will  get  Groupers  of  two  to 
ten  pounds,  occasional  good-sized  Snappers,  Porgies,  Grunts,  etc., 
etc.  From  Bears  Cut  all  the  way  south,  quite  frequently,  in  warm 
weather,  a  Barracuda  will  follow  up  a  small  fish  while  you  are  reeling 
him  in.  When  this  occurs,  take  off  your  small  hook,  put  on  an  8f0 
or  10$  and  wire  snood,  a  small  Grunt  or  Porgie  for  bait.  You  will 
be  almost  sure  to  get  hold  of  the  Barracuda. 

The  north  channel  is  the  best  one  for  Snappers,  along  the  shore 
and  mangroves,  and  where  the  water  is  deepest.  The  fishing  is  good 
in  all  these  channels,  from  their  commencement  in  the  Bay  to  where 
they  terminate  on  the  Great  Florida  Reef.  On  the  sand  "banks" 
between  the  channels,  the  "shallow-water  Barracuda  fishing," 
described  in  my  description  of  that  fish,  is  good,  and  there  are  many 
miles  of  these  banks  between  Cape  Florida  and  Soldier  Key,  the  next 
Key  south.  Here  it  will  be  advisable  to  use  Crawfish  bait,  if  obtain- 
able, for  the  smaller  fishes.  For  Groupers  and  Snappers,  I  have 
found  cut  Mullet  or  other  cut  fish  more  taking  than  any  other  bait. 

This  is  the  most  southern  point  where  I  have  found  Mullet  at  all 
plenty,  in  fact  they  are  hard  to  get  here  and  at  Bears  Cut,  at  times, 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  217 

and  are  very  scarce  in  all  the  channels  and  passes  below  ;  but  can  be 
gotten  in  many  of  the  creeks  and  bays  on  the  west  shore  of  Biscayne 
Bay,  Card  Sound,  Little  Card  Sound,  and  Barnes  Sound  to  the  south. 

When  I  am  on  good  Grouper  and  Snapper  ground  and  cannot  get 
Mullet  for  bait,  if  I  have  no  small  fish,  I  troll  with  small  phantom, 
and  can  usually  catch  a  small  Grouper  and  cut  him  up  for  bait.  The 
Groupers  and  Snappers  are  "cannibals,"  so  will  take  their  own 
species  readily  when  cut.  If  my  phantom  fails  me  I  have  recourse  to 
my  canned  clams  or  shrimp,  for  a  starter.  Sometimes  the  grains 
come  in  handy. 

From  here  south  you  will  need  to  use  a  method  of  chumming  in 
vogue  with  all  the  market  fishers  of  Key  West,  which  is  as  follows, 
viz  : 

Cut  out  the  meat  of  your  Crawfish,  which  is  mostly  in  the  tail 
and  part  of  the  body,  leaving  the  shell  and  antennte  (they  have  no 
claws).  Tie  two  or  three  of  these  together  with  a  string,  then  put 
on  a  sinker,  and  fasten  it  over  the  side  of  the  boat  with  a  line,  so  it 
will  go  within  a  foot  or  two  of  the  bottom.  This  is  very  attractive 
to  the  fish,  as  more  or  less  of  the  meat  left  on,  and  the  antennae,  dis- 
integrate slowly,  and  float  away.  This  is  much  better  than  throwing 
overboard  any  kind  of  chum,  as  it  will  float  away  with  the  tide  and 
you  lose  the  desired  use  of  it. 

From  Cape  Florida  south  to  Key  West  there  is  a  natural  law  for 
the  protection  of  fishes  which  beats  any  law  the  State  of  Florida  can 
pass.  This  law  is  the  fact  that  the  rock  formation  is  coral  and  under- 
lies all  the  passes,  creeks,  channels,  and  the  whole  country.  That 
rock  is  jagged,  crooked,  lumpy,  and  irregular  beyond  description. 
In  many  of  the  passes  the  bottom  varies  in  depth  from  four  or  five 
feet  to  twenty  feet  in  a  distance  of  thirty  or  forty  feet.  There  are 
holes  and  caverns  of  which  you  cannot  see  the  bottom,  while  you  can 
see  it  around  them  where  the  water  is  twenty  feet  deep.  The  outside 
shores  show  the  same  condition,  and  it  is  very  troublesome  to  land  a 
boat  and  get  out  of  it  in  many  places,  and  of  course  walking  on  such 
shores  is  difficult.  I  cannot  compare  it  with  anything,  unless  it  would 
be  with  a  gigantic  empty  honey  comb,  with  depressions  and  eleva- 
tions on  its  surface.  As  a  consequence,  seine  fishing  is  an  impossi- 
bility. A  few  drift  and  gill  nets  are  used  for  Spanish  Mackerel,  but 
I  think  without  profit.      I  have  seen  none  during  the  past  two  years. 

All  of  the  "  Conchs  "  among  the  Keys  use  only  hand  lines  and 


218  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW    TO    CATCH  FISH 

grains.  The  market  fishers  of  Key  West  catch  all  their  fishes  with 
hand  lines,  from  small  sailboats,  usually  sixteen  to  twenty  feet  long, 
with  wells  in  them,  and  thus  bring  the  fish  in  and  sell  them  alive. 
They  put  them  in  sunken  boxes  alongside  the  fish  market  dock, 
usually  separating  the  fishes  according  to  species. 

Their  customers  come  and  select  the  variety  and  size  wanted. 
There  are  no  "  middle  men,"  each  fisherman  sells  out  his  stock  direct 
to  the  consumer,  who  goes  on  his  way  rejoicing,  and  the  fisherman 
starts  out  after  more  fish.  Now,  there  is  an  ideal  anti -trust  situation 
for  you. 

SOLDIER   KEY. 

TWELVE   MILES   FROM    MIAMI. 

This  Key  belongs  to  the  United  States  Government  and  was  used 
as  a  residence  for  the  men  who  built  Fowey  Rock  Lighthouse,  four 
and  a  half  miles  east,  very  near  the  outer  edge  of  the  Great  Reef. 
When  this  lighthouse  was  completed,  the  old  Cape  Florida  Light,  on 
the  extreme  lower  end  of  Key  Biscayne,  was  abandoned.  Soldier 
Key  is  approached  from  the  inside  by  two  principal  channels,  in 
which  there  is  fair  fishing  for  all  the  fishes  of  the  bay  ;  but  I  have 
never  done  very  well  in  them  except  for  the  smaller  varieties,  such  as 
Grunts,  Porgies,  Small  Groupers,  and  Snappers.  I  have  seen  many 
Barracuda  near  the  Key,  but  never  caught  one  there.  At  times  there 
is  fine  Bonefishing  around  Little  Soldier  Key,  a  small  "bump"  or 
rock  a  short  distance  to  the  south,  and  some  are  taken  all  around  the 
Key  itself.  In  my  general  resume  of  Biscayne  Bay  I  have  described 
the  fishing  on  the  reef  east  of  this  Key,  and  around  Fowey  Rock 
Light. 

I  will  here  say  that  I  have  now  reached  the  limit  of  one  day's 
fishing  which  can  usually  be  done  from  Miami,  either  with  sailboat 
or  launch. 

Parties  desiring  to  fish  from  here  south  to  within  a  few  miles  of 
Key  West  will  have  to  "cruise,"  that  is,  will  have  to  use  their  own 
craft,  or  charter  one  large  enough  to  live  aboard.  Such  boats  can  be 
chartered  in  Miami,  of  all  suitable  sizes,  from  twenty-five  feet  to 
sixty-five  feet,  providing  accommodations  for  from  one  person  and 
the  skipper  up  to  a  party  of  five  or  six,  with  a  crew  of  three  or  four. 
One,   two,   or   three  small   boats  are   necessary   in  all   cases.      The 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  219 

owners  usually  provide  a  cast  net,  grains,  and  water  glasses,  but  no 
tackle.  A  bargain  can  be  made  by  the  day,  including  board  ;  but 
the  usual,  and  better,  method  is  to  pay  for  the  boat  and  crew  a  price 
per  day,  and  provide  your  own  provisions,  buying  what  you  need  or 
desire.  There  are  no  hotels  or  boarding  houses  on  any  of  the  Keys 
between  Miami  and  Key  West. 

The  reader  may  take  it  for  granted  that  he  may  from  here  south 
catch  one  or  more  of  all  the  fishes  I  have  mentioned  in  my  book  so 
far,  and  possibly  some  that  I  have  not  mentioned,  as  there  are 
probably  400,  or  more,  mentioned  in  these  waters  by  Jordan  & 
Kendall.  Their  entire  "Check  List  of  Florida  Fishes"  includes 
576  species,  so  I  guess  I  am  within  bounds. 

As  I  have  mentioned  all  that  I  consider  is  of  importance  to  the 
angler,  have  described  them,  and  given  their  appropriate  tackle  and 
bait,  I  will  at  each  point  mention  only  those  that  I  think  are  remark- 
able, especially  plenty,  or  deserving  of  mention  from  some  other 
standpoint. 

RAGGED    KEYS. 

The  most  northern  of  these  Keys  is  about  fifteen  miles  from 
Miami. 

They  are  five  in  number,  and  each  one  has  a  channel  on  each  side 
of  it.  They  are  numbered  1  to  5,  commencing  with  the  north  one. 
I  especially  recommend  the  fishing  in  the  channels  between  Nos.  2 
and  3,  and  3  and  4,  for  all  sorts  of  fishes.  The  bay  entrances  to  the 
channels  are,  in  my  opinion,  the  best,  although  just  in  line  with  the 
Key  north  of  No.  3  is  A  No.  1.  Here  I  caught  my  first  "  Sea  "  or 
"  Bermuda  Chub,"  which  is  a  very  gamy  fish.  I  have  also  caught  a 
great  variety  of  Groupers  here,  among  them  those  that  were  named, 
by  my  crew  and  myself,  "  Polka  Dot  "  and  "  Dolly  Varden  ".  Craw- 
fish are  readily  obtainable  here,  more  so  than  at  any  point  to  the 
north.  No  Mullet  as  far  as  I  know.  Conchs  plenty.  Small  Bar- 
racuda, one  to  two  feet  long,  are  plenty  around  the  shores  inside,  and 
large  ones  in  the  channels  ;  and  outside  on  the  reef,  in  three  to  six 
feet  of  water,  there  are  many  large  ones,  but  they  have  always 
been  shy  when  I  have  been  there.  I  saw  plenty,  but  caught  none. 
These  Keys  are  the  property  of  Ball  Brothers  of  the  schooner 
"  Privateer." 


220  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

SANDS   CUT. 
EIGHTEEN    MILES   FROM    MIAMI. 
This  cut  is  between  Sands  Key  on  the  north  and  Elliots  Key  on 
the   south.      It  is  also  called  the   "  Aquarium,"  I  presume  because 
there  are  so  many  fishes  in  it,  and  especially  so  many  handsome  ones. 
In  quiet  weather  the  water  is  very  clear  and  you  can  see  the  rock 
bottom  down  twenty  feet  in  many  places.     I  have  seen  here  very  many 
Angel-fish,  Spadefish,  Snappers,  Groupers,  Grunts,  etc.,  etc.     It  is  an 
especially  good  place   for  large  Mangrove  Snappers  and  Groupers. 
The  best  spots  for  large  Snappers  are  in  the  middle  of  the  main 
channel  about  two-thirds  through  from  the  inside,  and  under  some 
mangroves   on   the   north  side  just  at  the  entrance  from  the  ocean. 
While  fishing  for  the  Snappers  you  will  get  large  Groupers. 

The  Grunts,  Porgies,  etc.,  run  all  over  the  bottom  of  the  cut,  but 
rather  the  best  place  is  nearly  in  line  with  the  Keys  on  the  inner  side. 
The  cut  is  a  narrow  and  short  one,  and  very  rocky  and  uneven,  with 
deep  wells,  holes,  or  caverns  in  the  bottom.  You  will  lose  lots  of 
sinkers  and  hooks  here,  which  is  unavoidable,  as  you  must  fish  on  the' 
bottom,  and  take  the  chance  of  your  hook,  sinker,  or  line  catching. 
I  presume  I  have  left  ten  to  fifteen  pounds  of  lead  in  this  cut. 

On  quiet,  warm  days  you  can  get  Angel-fish  by  fishing  near  the 
bottom,  not  on  it,  with  No.  3  hook,  No.  6  line,  strong  double  gut  (not 
twisted)  snood,  small  long  sinker,  float,  and  Crawfish  bait.  They  are 
wary  and  will  not  bite  freely,  but  will  come  up  out  of  the  wells,  or  holes, 
sailing  around  your  bait  apparently  undecided  whether  to  take  it  or 
not.  Once  in  a  while  you  will  get  one,  but  not  many.  They  are 
probably  the  most  beautiful  fish  in  the  world,  are  very  gamy,  and  a 
fine  table  fish.  In  my  experience  they  are  generally  an  accidental 
fish,  that  is,  are  caught  while  fishing  for  other  small  fish  with  rather 
small  hook. 

During  the  winter  or  spring  of  1899,  Mr.  Edward  P.  Borden, 
who  was  with  me  on  a  cruise,  while  fishing  for  Snappers  and  Groupers, 
hooked  a  Porgy  or  Grunt.  While  reeling  him  in  a  Barracuda  made 
for  the  Porgy  or  Grunt,  but  did  not  get  him.  Mr.  Borden  made  a 
lightning  change  of  tackle,  baited  with  a  Grunt,  cast  it  out,  and  in  a 
minute  or  two  hooked  the  Barracuda,  and  in  a  short  time  landed  him. 
He  weighed  twenty-five  pounds. 

I  very  seldom  give  the  "go  by"  to  Sands  Cut,  but  on  every 
cruise  endeavor  to  take  it  in,  going  or  coming. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  221 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

CESAR'S  CREEK. 
TWENTY-FOUR  MILES  FROM  MIAMI. 
This  is  the  pass  between  Elliots  Key,  north,  and  old  Rhodes  Key, 
south  and  is  one  of  the  most  noted  and  important  sport  fishing  places 
on  the  coast.  All  the  fishes  of  the  Keys  are  at  times  taken  here.  It 
is  especially  frequented  by  sportsmen  after  Tarpon,  which  are  very 
often  running  in  the  outside  channel. 

Hogfish  are  more  plentiful  here  than  in  any  locality  I  have  visited, 
and  are&caught  in  the  outside  channel  just  inside  the  line  of  the  Keys 
in  about  fifteen  feet  of  water,  5*  or  6*  hook,  15,  18,  or  21  line,  rod 
and  reel,  still  fishing  on  the  bottom.  A  little  farther  out  in  the 
channel,  in  eight  to  twelve  feet  of  water  a  great  variety  are  caught. 
Sharks  plentiful,  Rays  not  bad.  Mangrove  Snappers  and  Groupers 
in  the  channel  at  each  place  designated,  and  along  the  shores  where 
there  is  deep  water  under  the  mangroves  j  but  the  good  fishing  does 
not  extend  far  into  the  cut  to  the  west,  and  the  western  end  and  the 
approaches  to  it  are  not  good. 

The  outer  channel  here  is  peculiar,  in  that  it  has  the  appearance 
of  a  canal  for  two  miles  out  from  the  line  of  Keys,  with  shallow  banks 
on  each  side,  north  and  south.  On  the  south  side,  near  the  shore, 
there  is  a  cut  or  deeper  place  through  the  bank  carrying  two  and  a 
half  feet  of  water.  Boats  drawing  only  that  water  can  go  over  and 
save  the  long  run  out  to  the  end  of  the  channel  or  canal. 

BROAD  CREEK. 
TWENTY-SIX  MILES  FROM  MIAMI. 
This  creek  is  the  pass  between  Old  Rhodes  Key,  north,  and  Palo 
Alto  Key,  south.  There  is  no  channel  through  from  the  bay  to  out- 
side. One  starts  from  the  bay  and  runs  about  half  way  between  the 
Keys  to  half  the  distance  through,  when  the  water  decreases  to  half 
a  foot,  then,  in  a  short  distance,  it  again  deepens  and  runs  out  to  the 


222  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

reef.  In  addition  to  this  there  is  a  slough,  or  old  channel,  commenc- 
ing outside  with  two  feet  and  running  alongside  Old  Rhodes  Key, 
carrying  seven  feet  of  water  and  then  down  to  less  than  a  foot.  I 
have  been  in  the  channels  and  have  done  well  for  Snappers,  Groupers, 
Grunts,  Porgies,  etc.  At  high  tide  there  is  a  fair  flow  of  water 
through  and  at  all  times  enough  to  keep  the  fish  there.  There  are 
thousands  of  Crawfish  in  the  creek  and  along  near  the  shores.  The 
best  way  to  approach  this  creek  is  to  go  by  rowboat  from  anchorage 
at  the  outside  of  Angelfish  Creek,  the  next  pass  below. 


ANGELFISH    CREEK. 
TWENTY-EIGHT   MILES   FROM    MIAMI. 

This  is  the  pass  between  Palo  Alto  Key,  north,  and  Key  Largo, 
south,  the  latter  the  largest  of  all  the  Keys,  it  being  twenty-five  miles 
long. 

This  is  celebrated  fishing  ground,  especially  for  Angelfish,  after 
which  it  is  named. 

In  addition  to  the  main  channel  through  from  the  west  to  the 
east,  there  are  two  smaller  creeks  to  the  south  running  west  and 
coming  out  into  the  main  channel,  one  of  them  is  Little  Angelfish 
Creek,  which  runs  between  Angelfish  Key  and  an  unnamed  Key  to 
the  south  of  it,  and  the  other  is  Pumpkin  Creek,  running  between 
the  unnamed  Key  and  Key  Largo.  There  are  also  two  creeks  to  the 
north,  which  branch  out  from  the  main  channel  and  run  out  into  Card 
Sound,  as  the  inside  water,  or  bay,  is  here  called.  One  of  these 
two  creeks  has  a  branch  which  runs  out  north  into  Broad  Creek.  All 
these  waters  carry  good  depth,  and  there  is  good  fishing  in  all  of  them. 

The  main  channel  has  many  holes,  caverns  and  wells,  like  those 
at  Sands  Cut,  and  all  sorts  of  fish  are  plenty.  Anchor  in  five  to  ten 
feet  water  on  the  outside,  a  little  beyond  the  line  of  Keys,  in  the 
channel,  for  Snappers,  Groupers,  Porgies,  etc.,  etc.  For  large  Man- 
grove Snappers  follow  the  south  shore  close  to  the  mangroves.  One 
of  the  best  spots  is  about  half  a  mile  inside  the  line  of  Keys,  where 
you  will  see  a  ledge  of  coral  some  six  or  eight  feet  down,  suddenly 
dropping  to  fifteen  or  twenty  feet.  Around  the  edges  of  that  ledge 
there  are  Snappers  up  to  ten  pounds,  certainly.  The  very  largest  do 
not  seem  inclined  to  bite,  but  you  will  get  them  up  to  seven  and 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  223 

eight  pounds.  All  through  the  channel  nearly  to  the  western  end 
they  are  always  in  evidence. 

Pumpkin  Creek  is  deep,  six  to  fifteen  feet,  and  at  times  Snappers 
and  Groupers  are  very  plenty.  The  other  creeks  are  all  good  for  all 
the  variety  of  Key  fishes.  The  western  approach  is  not  good.  The 
Mangrove  Snapper  is  usually  in  clear  water  a  very  shy  and  wary  fish, 
so  sometimes  when  you  can  see  literally  hundreds  of  them  you  can 
catch  but  few.  I  think  cut  fish  bait  for  them  here  is  better  than  any 
other. 

Angle  for  Angel-fish  the  same  as  at  Sands  Cut.  There  are  more 
of  them  here,  in  my  opinion,  than  anywhere  on  the  coast.  You  are 
quite  sure  to  catch  some  while  fishing  for  other  fish.  There  is  little 
inducement  to  troll  in  these  channels  and  passes  among  the  Keys,  as  the 
tides  are  strong,  making  the  rowing  hard,  and  you  can  catch  fish  in 
more  scientific  ways.  Of  all  the  places  on  the  entire  East  Coast, 
Capt.  John  and  I  are  agreed  that  we  like  Angelfish  Creek  somewhat 
the  best. 

The  usual  route  for  sport  fishing  from  here  to  Indian  Key  is 
through  the  inside  waters,  as  they  afford  far  better  sport  than  the  out- 
side. This  arises  from  the  fact  that  outside  we  have  for  twenty-five 
miles  the  blank  shores  of  Key  Largo,  with  two  or  three  inside  sounds, 
which  are  supplied  with  salt  water  only  from  the  outside,  no  connec- 
tion through  to  Card  Sound,  etc. 

I  will  now  take  you  by  the  inside  route  to  Indian  Key. 

STEAMBOAT  CREEKS. 

SIX  MILES  FROM  ANGELFISH  CREEK,  AND  THIRTY-TWO 
MILES  FROM  MIAMI. 

There  are  three  of  these  creeks  less  than  a  mile  apart  at  their  Bay 
entrances.  They  enter  Key  Largo  from  Card  Sound,  describe  part 
of  a  circle  within  the  Key,  and  come  out  into  Little  Card  Sound  to 
the  south,  varying  in  length  from  one  to  two  miles. 

The  fishing  in  these  creeks  is  not  much  affected  by  the  tides,  and 
only  the  most  northerly  one  is  navigable  for  sailboats,  launches,  etc. 
I  have  had  very  good  success  in  them,  especially  for  Mangrove  Snap- 
pers and  Groupers,  the  best  ground  for  them  being  in  the  first,  or 
north,  creek,  all  the  way  through  it  — being  somewhat  the  best  com- 
mencing about  half  a  mile  from  the  entrance  and  continuing-  about  a 


224  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

mile.  The  north,  or  left,  side  rather  the  best ;  but  it  is  well  to  try- 
both  sides,  which  are  alike  in  having  a  heavy  growth  of  mangroves  to 
the  water's  edge  and  into  it. 

The  other  fishes  are  Cavalle,  Groupers,  Grunts,  Jewfish,  large  if 
you  want  them,  Sailor's  Choice,  Rabirubia,  Turbot,  Sea  Trout,  Par- 
rot-fish, Porgies,  Spot,  and,  near  the  entrances  on  the  "banks," 
Bonefish.  Some  Mullet  on  shallows  around  an  island  inside  near  the 
entrance.  Fiddlers  can  be  found  around  the  larger  mangroves,  where 
there  are  little  sandy  places  three  or  four  feet  from  the  shore. 

At  the  entrance  to  the  second,  or  middle,  creek  there  is  usually  a 
large  lot  of  Snappers  in  quite  deep  water,  near  the  north  shore.  The 
water  is  more  clear  there  than  in  any  other  place,  so  the  Snappers 
take  the  alarm  as  soon  as  two  or  three  are  taken. 

The  third,  or  south,  creek  is  about  the  same  as  the  second.  Two 
or  three  days  can  be  spent  here  very  pleasantly  unless  the  mosquitoes 
appear,  which  is  apt  to  be  the  case  if  the  weather  is  warm. 


BONEFISH    BANKS. 
THIRTY-TWO   MILES   FROM    MIAMI. 

These  "banks"  extend  from  near  the  mouths  of  Steamboat 
Creeks  across  the  southern  end  of  Card  Sound  (the  next  body  of 
water  south  of  Biscay ne  Bay)  to  the  west  shore,  about  two  and  three- 
quarter  miles,  and  extend  north  and  south  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile. 

They  are  the  dividing  line  between  Card  Sound,  north,  and  Little 
Card  Sound,  south,  and  during  the  last  four  years  have  acquired  the 
name  of  "The  Bonefish  Banks,"  well  known  to  the  devotees  of 
Bone  fishing. 

There  is  a  cut,  or  channel,  through  the  banks  about  half  way  be- 
tween the  shores,  which  carries  three  to  six  feet  of  water,  through 
which  all  the  craft  traveling  north  or  south  are  obliged  to  pass.  The 
banks  themselves  carry  from  nothing  to  two  or  three  feet,  a  consider- 
able part  of  them  being  out  of  water  at  low  tide. 

I  presume  more  Bonefish  have  been  caught  here  than  in  any  one 
place  in  Florida.  In  the  cut  there  are  Cavalle,  Runners,  Mangrove 
Snappers  (small  and  medium  size),  Groupers,  Grunts,  Porgies,  etc. 
I  have  seen  Tarpon  here,  many  of  them,  but  never  caught  one. 

Near  the  bank,  on  the  west  side   of  the  sound,  there  are,  north 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  225 

and  south,  several  inside  shallow  bays,  with  everglade  creeks  running 
into  them.  I  have  had  my  boat  held  at  the  mouths  of  the  creeks, 
north,  while  the  tide  was  running  in  and  have  done  very  well  with  Bone- 
fish  ;  and  in  the  small  bay,  even  with,  and  a  little  south  of,  the  bank, 
I  have  caught,  and  seen  caught,  Bonefish,  Channel  Bass,  and  Spotted 
Trout.  Mullet  are  quite  plenty  in  the  creeks  coming  into  these  bays, 
but  it  is  a  bad  place  to  throw  a  cast  net,  because  of  deep  mud. 
These  bays  extend  on  the  north  to  Arsenecker  Keys,  and  south  quite 
a  distance  ;  I  have  not  been  far  south  in  them.  Between  the  first 
bay,  south,  and  Little  Card  Sound  there  is  a  little  pass,  or  hole, 
which  is  only  ten  feet  or  so  deep,  and  about  as  wide,  all  covered  over 
by  the  branches  of  the  mangroves,  in  which  I  caught  a  dozen  or  so 
Snappers  before  they  found  me  out.  They  soon  quit  and  I  could  get 
no  more  bites.  Fiddlers  are  tolerably  plenty  on  the  sandy  shores  of 
these  bays  and  creeks,  and  a  few  on  the  main  west  shore.  Bonefish 
take  them  tolerably  well. 

JEWFISH    CREEK. 

EIGHT  MILES  FROM  BONEFISH  BANKS  AND  THIRTY-EIGHT 
MILES   FROM  MIAMI. 

This  creek  is  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Barnes  Sound  (the  next 
body  of  water  south  of  Little  Card  Sound),  and  is  the  only  channel 
between  Barnes  Sound  and  Black  Water  Bay  (the  next  bay  to  the 
south).  The  creek  is  nearly  one  and  a  half  miles  long,  with  two 
branches  leaving  it  part  way  through,  all  emptying  near  each  other 
into  Black  Water  Bay.  Mangrove  bushes  and  trees  all  the  way 
through. 

The  fishing  in  this  creek  and  branches  is  A  No.  1,  for  large  Snap- 
pers and  Groupers.  The  water  is  not  clear  and  so  they  are  not  very 
shy.  Fish  all  the  way  through  on  both  sides,  up  near  the  roots  and 
branches  of  the  mangroves.  There  are  Sailor's  Choice,  small  Group- 
ers, and  other  small  and  medium  fishes,  just  at  the  entrance  of  the 
deep  water  on  the  west  side. 

The  tides  do  not  affect  the  fishing  here.  Jewfish  are  here,  if  you 
desire  them. 

BOGGY. 

Black  Water  Bay  is  nearly  round  and  will  average  four  and  one- 
fourth  miles  across.     Boggy   is  nearly  west  from  Jewfish  Creek  and 


226  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 

about  the  same  distance  from  the  south  end  of  the  creek.  It  is  a  cut, 
or  channel,  from  Black  Water  Bay  into  Florida  Bay,  sometimes  called 
the  Great  Bay  of  Florida,  which  extends  to  Cape  Sable  on  the  west 
and  to  Key  West  on  the  southwest.  It  is  a  shallow  bay,  and  the 
water  is  usually  roily  and  whitish  from  the  disintegration  of  the  coral 
rock.  More  and  more  mangrove  islands,  or  Keys,  are  constantly 
forming  in  it. 

Boggy  carries  tolerably  clear  water  from  Black  Water  Bay,  and 
the  Snapper  and  Grouper  fishing  is  usually  very  good. 

The  best  places  are  on  the  south  shore  in  the  cut  about  half  way 
through,  and  along  the  north  shore  all  the  way  through,  and  for 
half  a  mile  or  more  inside  under  the  mangroves,  out  into  Black  Water 
Bay. 

In  December,  1900,  I  had  very  successful  fishing  there.  Capt. 
Gardner  caught  an  eight-pound  Sheepshead  while  fishing  for  Snappers 
along  the  south  side,  which  was  a  surprise  to  us. 

Now  we  will  have  quite  a  sail  through  milky  water,  until  we  near 


TAVENIER    CREEK. 

TWELVE  MILES  (DIRECT)  FROM  BOGGY  AND  FIFTY-THREE  FROM 

MIAMI  (DIRECT). 

This  creek  is  the  pass  from  Great  Florida  Bay  into  the  ocean,  and 
runs  between  Key  Largo,  north,  and  Long  Island,  south.  The 
entrance  to  it  from  the  inside  is  shallow,  and  outside  the  same  ;  only 
very  small  sailboats  can  pass  through.  But  there  is  deep  water  in 
the  creek,  and  very  fair  fishing  for  all  the  Key  fishes.  For  Snappers 
and  Groupers  there  is  an  especially  good  place  about  one-third 
through  on  the  south  side,  where  there  is  quite  a  bend  to  the  south. 
Under  the  mangroves  there  I  have  caught,  and  seen  caught,  a  great 
many  three  to  eight-pound  Snappers  and  Groupers. 

About  two-thirds  through,  in  the  middle  of  the  channel,  there  is 
good  Grunt,  Porgie,  etc.,  with  occasional  good  Snappers.  The 
approaches  at  each  end  are  not  good. 

Before  leaving  Tavenier  Creek  I  must  tell  what  I  will  call  my 
"Alibi  Story." 

On  Christmas  morning,  1890,  I  arrived  on  my  boat  in  an  inside 
bay,  three  miles  or  so  north  of  Tavenier  Creek,  and  about   two  and 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  227 

a  half  miles  across  the  Key  from  Planter,  which  fronts  on  the  ocean, 
and  is  the  only  post-office  between  Miami  and  Key  West.  I  always 
have  mail  at  Planter,  so,  whether  going  inside  or  outside,  always 
call  for  it. 

We  anchored  a  few  hundred  feet  from  the  shore,  where  there  is  a 
dwelling  house,  tomato  patch,  pineapple  patch,  etc.  During  our 
calls  in  previous  years  a  Swede  family  were  in  charge  of  the  place, 
which  belonged  to  a  gentleman  residing  in  Miami ;  but  this  time  we 
found  two  colored  men  in  charge,  who  were  working  the  place.  We 
landed  and  asked  the  darkies  if  we  could  get  a  barrel  or  two  of 
water,  and  were  told  we  could. 

In  talking  with  them,  we  found  they  were  from  Daytona  and  had 
worked  for  people  whom  Capt.  John  knew.  I  told  my  crew  we 
would  all  take  a  day  off,  so  the  ''captain,  and  the  cook,  and  the 
sailor,  too,"  and  myself,  all  walked  across  Key  Largo  to  Planter, 
over  the  worst  trail  you  ever  saw,  through  tomato,  pineapple,  and 
cucumber  patches,  and  through  clumps  of  small  timber,  over  coral 
rock,  through  swamp,  etc. 

In  the  brush  and  timber  it  was  like  "  Nesmuck's  "  trail,  which 
finally  ran  up  a  tree  into  a  squirrel  hole. 

We  reached  Planter,  however,  about  10.30  or  so,  and  found  the 
place  entirely  deserted.  Three  or  four  families  reside  in  the  place, 
comprising  probably  twenty  men,  women  and  children. 

We  four  lounged  around,  sitting  on  the  wharf,  the  house  porches, 
etc.,  an  hour  or  so,  and  then  walked  back  to  the  bay.  When  we 
arrived  the  darkies  were  at  work,  and  I  said  to  them  that  we  would 
have  to  stay  there  until  the  next  day,  because  all  the  people  at  Planter 
were  off  to  a  Christmas  frolic,  or  to  church,  and  we  could  not  get 
our  mail.      I  said,  ''There  was  not  a  living  soul  in  the  place." 

The  crew  got  a  barrel  of  water  and  took  it  out  to  the  boat,  and, 
except  the  cook,  remained  on  shore  some  time. 

Finally,  I  had  my  dinner  about  half-past  one,  and  the  crew  had 
their' s  about  two  o'clock,  after  which  the  captain  went  ashore,  and 
with  one  of  the  darkies  went  hunting  for  squirrels. 

The  next  morning  the  captain,  the  sailor,  and  myself  walked  over 
to  Planter  after  our  mail. 

Mr.  Johnson,  the  storekeeper  and  postmaster,  was  not  there,  the 
office  being  in  charge  of  his  son,  or  nephew,  a  boy  of  about  eighteen. 
We  had  been  there  several  times  before  and  were  well  known.     The 


228  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW    TO    CATCH  FISH 

young  man  asked  me  if  we  were  there  the  day  before,  and  being  told 
we  were,  he  said  that  a  friend  had  gone  by  in  a  sailboat  and  had  told 
him  there  were  four  men  on  the  wharf  about  eleven  o'clock.  I  asked 
him  why  he  mentioned  that  fact,  and  he  said  the  post-office  had  been 
robbed  while  they  were  all  away  Christmas  morning  to  church,  the 
loss  being  $107.  I  turned  to  Capt.  John  and  said,  "John,  we  are 
in  a  scrape";  and  he  replied,  "No,  the  amount  is  not  large 
enough." 

The  boy  at  once  said,  "  We  don't  think  you  did  it,  not  for  a  mo- 
ment ;  you  don't  think  we  would  have  the  least  idea  you  did  it,  do 
you?  "  I  replied,  "  No,  I  don't  think  you  would  ;  but  if  we  did  not 
do  it,  who  did?  "  I  then  questioned  him  as  to  all  the  people  living 
within  ten  miles,  and  they  were  all  accounted  for,  in  fact,  were  all 
at  the  church,  and  no  boats  had  passed,  as  they  were  only  two  miles 
to  the  south  and  could  see  boats  if  there  had  been  any.  He  then 
said,  "  Nobody  but  those  two  niggers  over  on  the  bay  front  could 
have  done  it  " ;  and  we  all  replied  that  it  was  impossible,  as  we  had 
seen  them  all  day ;  and  I  said  I  would  swear  I  had  seen  them  all  day, 
and  that  they  could  prove  an  alibi  by  all  four  on  my  boat. 

I  told  the  boy  all  about  it,  and  when  I  spoke  of  having  said  to 
the  darkies,  "  There  was  not  a  living  soul  on  the  place,"  he  replied, 
"They  did  it,  and  that  remark  led  them  to  do  it."  We  all  pro- 
tested that  it  could  not  be,  and  said,  "The  darkies  can  prove  an 
alibi,  and  we  cannot."  We  felt  a  little  cheap  over  the  matter,  and  I 
thought  of  the  elder  Weller's  advice  to  his  son  Sam,  when  he  said, 
"  I  have  got  some  friends  as' 11  do  either  for  him,  but  my  advice  'ud 
be  this  here  —  never  mind  the  character,  and  stick  to  the  alleybi. 
Nothing  like  a  alleybi,  Sammy,  nothing."  But  we  had  no  "al- 
leybi" to  stick  to.  That  burglary  lay  between  those  two  darkies 
and  ourselves,  and  the  darkies  could  prove  an  "alleybi  "  by  us. 

Well,  we  were  not  arrested ;  in  fact,  there  was  no  officer  there  to 
do  that  work,  and  we  went  on  our  way,  rejoicing,  down  to  Key  West, 
where  we  remained  a  few  days.  From  there  we  worked  north  out- 
side, and  about  two  weeks  after  the  burglary  landed  at  Planter  for 
our  mail. 

We  found  the  same  young  man  in  charge,  and  asked  him  if  they 
had  found  out  who  committed  that  robbery.  He  said,  "Yes,  it  was 
those  two  niggers." 

We  said  at  once,   "  Impossible,  they  could  not  have  done  it";  and 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  229 

he  replied,  "  Not  much  impossible,  as  they  have  confessed,  given  up 
the  money,  and  are  in  jail  in  Miami  waiting  their  trial." 

If  lam  ever  called  upon  to  prove  an  "  alleybi  "  for  a  friend  I 
shall  be  very  careful  what  I  swear  to. 

WINDY   ISLAND    CHANNEL. 
ABOUT    FIVE    MILES    SOUTH    OF   TAVENIER    CREEK. 

This  channel  is  between  Windy  Island  and  Upper  Mattacombe 
Key.     In  it  are  all  of  the  Key  fishes. 

UPPER    MATTACOMBE    CHANNEL. 
ABOUT    SEVEN    MILES    FROM    TAVENIER. 

These  channels  are  between  Windy  Key,  north,  and  Upper 
Mattacombe  Key,  south.  One  channel  runs  clear  through  and  carries 
good  water,  and  against  Windy  Key  there  is  an  old  channel  closed  in 
the  middle,  but  having  fair  water  at  each  end.  All  of  the  fishes  of 
the  Keys  are  caught  here.  Crawfish  are  plentiful  all  along  here,  but 
no  Mullet,  or  only  occasionally  a  small  school. 


230  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

INDIAN    KEY. 

THIRTY-SIX   NAUTICAL   MILES   FROM   MIAMI   BY   THE   USUAL 
OUTSIDE    ROUTE. 

Upper  Mattacombe  Key  is  to  the  north  of  it  and  Lower  Matta- 
combe  to  the  south. 

This  is  a  small  key  of  thirteen  acres  and  stands  out  in  the  ocean 
about  one  and  one-fourth  miles  from  the  line  of  the  Keys.  It  is  his- 
toric as  the  place  where  Doctor  Perrine  was  killed  by  the  Indians 
during  the  Seminole  War.  While  Alligator  Lighthouse  was  being 
built,  about  four  miles  out  on  the  edge  of  the  reef,  it  was  used  as  a 
base  of  supplies,  and  as  a  residence  for  the  workmen.  As  there  has 
been  a  large  cistern  under  the  house,  built  by  the  Government,  which 
usually  had  a  supply  of  rainwater,  it  has  been  a  place  of  call  for  most 
light-draft  yachts  and  fishing  boats  traveling  up  and  down  the  coast. 
It  is  quite  an  attractive  stopping  point.  I  have  called  there  many 
times,  remaining  from  one  to  four  days  each  visit.  It  is  uninhabited 
at  present  (May,  1901). 

As  a  fishing  resort  it  has  no  superior  on  the  coast,  especially  as  to 
a  great  variety  of  highly-colored  species. 

There  are  two  channels  between  it  and  Upper  Mattacombe,  and 
two  between  it  and  Lower  Mattacombe,  all  four  leading  up  into 
Florida  Bay,  and  there  is  good  water  south  of  it.  Mangrove  Snap- 
pers, Groupers,  Runners  of  several  varieties,  Yellow  Tails,  Angel-fish, 
Spadefish,  Porgies  in  variety,  Porkfish,  Hogfish,  Parrot-fish  of  several 
varieties,  Grunts,  etc.,  etc.,  are  all  caught  here,  as  well  as  Bonefish, 
Barracuda,  Spanish  Mackerel  and  Kingfish,  the  latter  two  outside. 
Yellow  Tails  here  begin  to  be  more  plentiful. 

There  is  very  little  choice  in  the  channels,  but  possibly  the  first 
one  to  the  north  and  the  Lower  Mattacombe  may  be  the  best  two. 
During  a  cruise,  in  the  winter  of  1900,  Professor  Walker  and  myself 
each  caught  thirteen  varieties  of  fishes  in  a  forenoon's  fishing. 

To  the  east  and  south  of  the  Key,  Mangrove  Snappers,  Groupers, 
as  well  as  smaller  fishes,  are  quite  plentiful  within  a  few  hundred  feet 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  231 

of  the  shore,  in  eight  to  ten  feet  of  water.  There  is  fine  trolling 
around  Alligator  Lighthouse  for  Barracuda,  with  hand  line  or  rod 
and  reel,  with  a  chance,  also,  of  taking  Amber  Jacks,  Kingfish  and 
Groupers.  Run  around  the  lighthouse,  from  100  to  500  feet  distant 
from  it,  and  to  the  east,  to  the  edge  of  the  reef. 

Mangrove  Snappers,  of  from  three  to  ten  pounds,  are  very  plentiful 
immediately  around  the  lighthouse,  as  they  gather  there  to  eat  the 
refuse  thrown  down  by  the  keepers.  Anchor  your  rowboat  within  ten 
or  fifteen  feet  of  the  iron  columns,  use  only  18,  21  line,  6$  hooks, 
with  cut  fish  or  Crawfish  bait. 

After  you  have  fished  awhile  the  Sharks  will  come  in  for  their 
share,  and  will  take  your  fish  entirely  or  partly  off.  Professor  Walker 
and  myself  were  there  in  April,  1900,  having  fine  success,  until  the 
Sharks  one  after  another  put  in  their  appearance,  increasing  in  num- 
ber to  fifteen  or  twenty,  and  in  weight  from  100  to  200  pounds.  We 
kept  at  it  until  we  concluded  we  were  in  danger,  as  some  of  the 
Sharks  in  following  up  our  fish  ran  within  an  oar's  length  of  our 
boats,  and  some  ran  under  them.  Discretion  was  the  better  part  of 
valor,  so  we  quit.  Nearly  all  fish  caught  are  returned  to  the  water, 
as  there  is  no  use  for  them,  except  a  few  for  the  boat's  table. 

When  I  was  there  last  the  keeper  in  charge  of  the  lighthouse 
invited  me  to  fish  from  the  lower  platform,  some  ten  or  twelve  feet 
above  the  water ;  but  I  politely  declined,  as  I  preferred  the  boat. 
I  presume  he  will  accord  the  privilege  to  any  applicant. 

During  our  cruise  on  the  "Manatee,"  Mr.  Borden  and  myself  had 
good  success  around  the  lighthouse  with  Barracuda,  trolling,  block 
tin  squid,  from  rowboat. 

There  are  many  Bonefish  banks  within  two  or  three  miles  of  the 
Key,  up  in  the  Bay  of  Florida,  among  them,  on  each  side  of  the 
main  channel  to  the  north,  between  Upper  Mattacombe  Key  and 
Shell  Key,  in  two  channels  between  Shell  Key  and  Lignum  Vitae 
Key  to  the  west,  and  in  the  channel  between  Lignum  Vitae  and 
Lower  Mattacombe.  Sand  Crabs  or  "  Sprites  "  for  bait  can  be  found 
around  the  shores  of  the  Keys. 

In  the  above  I  tell  of  Professor  Walker  and  myself  each  catching 
tiiirteeti  species  of  fishes,  and  in  my  account  of  Biscayne  Bay  tell  of 
taking  into  the  Royal  Palm  thirteen  different  species.  The  number 
thirteen  seems  to  be  an  especial  angling  favorite  of  mine.  I  have  had 
two  other  instances  of  its  occurrence. 


232  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

While  en  route  from  St.  Louis  to  Florida,  during  the  winter  of 
1890,  I  met  in  the  smoking  room  of  the  Pullman  a  gentleman  from 
Chicago  who  had  a  bundle  of  fishing  rods  with  him ;  I  also  had  a 
bundle.  We  got  to  talking  about  fish,  and  as  we  each  had  rods 
along  we  each  knew  the  other  was  all  right,  and  were  warm  friends 
in  fifteen  minutes.  I  told  him  what  my  plans  were  and  that  I  was 
alone,  and  the  conversation  ended  in  an  agreement  to  make  the 
cruise  together,  which  I  had  intended  to  make  alone.  The  cruise 
was  on  the  "Lillie  Shippy,"  Capt.  Dick  McCarty,  with  John 
Gardner,  assistant.     The  gentleman  was  Mr.  John  B.  Zimmerman. 

I  stated  to  him  that  I  had  seen  somewhere,  I  believe  in  Henshall, 
that  ten  different  fishes  had  been  caught  at  one  anchorage  of  a  small 
boat  in  Indian  River  Inlet,  all  with  cut  Mullet  bait.  We  resolved 
to  test  its  truth,  and  caught  thirteen  species. 

A  year  or  two  after  the  above  occurrence  an  acquaintance  of 
mine  came  to  Indian  River  Inlet  with  only  fly  tackle,  and  caught 
thirteen  Trout  and  Ladyfish  with  it  ;  nearly  all  the  former. 

The  Trout  is  almost  the  only  salt-water  fish  in  Florida  which  will 
take  a  fly ;  and  he  rarely  does  so. 

Some  are  caught  off  the  bridge  at  Daytona ;  usually  only  in  the 
fall,  when  they  are  plenty  and  hungry.  I  have  caught  a  few  small 
Mangrove  Snappers  under  the  mangroves,  one-fourth  to  one-half 
pound,  never  a  large  one,  and  I  have  faithfully  tried. 

When  at  Indian  Key,  three  years  ago,  a  family,  consisting  of  a 
man  and  wife,  two  or  three  half-grown  boys  and  some  younger  chil- 
dren, occupied  the  house,  and  had  charge  of  the  Key  for  the  owner, 
who  resided  in  Key  West.  The  old  gentleman  was  originally  from 
the  "Bamas,"  as  the  "  Chonchs  "  all  pronounce  Bahamas.  He  had 
resided  on  several  Keys,  lived  in  Key  West,  "sponged,"  fished,  and 
last,  but  not  least,  had  "wracked"  (as  they  call  wrecking)  a  great 
deal.  He  had  a  great  fund  of  wrecking  stories  to  tell,  and  would 
say  that  such  and  such  a  ship  made  a  "fine  wrack,"  paid  $25,000, 
$40,000,  etc.,  etc.,  to  the  wreckers. 

He  had  two  or  three  claims  in  the  United  States  Court  at  Key 
West,  as  I  think  is  constantly  the  case  with  about  half  the  "  Chonchs," 
and  many  of  the  residents  of  Key  West. 

Wrecking  is  one  of  the  important,  and  lucrative,  industries  of  the 
Key  people. 

One   morning  after  breakfast,  in  looking  toward  the  house  from 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  233 

the  boat,  I  saw  something  projecting  from  the  sea  gable  window 
which  I  could  not  quite  understand,  so  asked  Capt.  John  to  get  the 
glasses  and  let  me  know  what  it  was.  He  looked  a  moment  or  so,  and 
said,  "That  is  a  two-foot  boy  looking  for  'wracks'  with  a  three-foot 
telescope."  And  so  it  was,  as  we  afterwards  found.  Some  one  of 
the  family  was  always  at  that  window  with  the  telescope.  Some  of 
those  unsophisticated  "  Chonchs  ' '  actually  think  that  once  in  a  while  a 
vessel  gets  onto  the  reef  "  on  purpose,"  for  the  sake  of  the  insurance, 
but  we  business  men  know  that  cannot  be  the  case.  I  heard  the  next 
year  that  our  friend  of  Indian  Key  had  gotten  into  a  share  in  a  "good 
wrack,"  and  had  retired  from  business  temporarily.  I  hope  the  story 
is  true,  as  he  entertained  us  nicely,  giving  us  much  information,  and 
was  very  kind  in  every  way. 

LOWER    MATTACOMBE    CHANNELS. 

The  southwest  end  of  Lower  Mattacombe  Key  is  five  miles  south- 
west of  Indian  Key.  There  are  four  channels  between  it  and  the 
northern  end  of  Long  Key,  four  miles  distant. 

These  channels  leading  into  the  Bay  of  Florida,  as  all  south  of 
Tavenier  Creek  to  Key  West  do,  carry  from  four  to  fifteen  feet  of 
water,  and  all  the  fishes  of  the  Keys  are  caught  in  them. 

LONG    KEY. 

This  Key  is  four  miles  long,  and  is  well  known,  as  the  southern 
end  is  the  usual  starting  point  for  small  and  medium-size  craft  bound 
for  Cape  Sable  across  the  Bay  of  Florida,  on  the  West  Coast. 

All  of  the  fishes  of  the  Keys  are  caught  in  the  six  channels 
between  it  and  Duck  Key,  the  next  one  south  on  the  Key  line,  and 
five  miles  distant. 

Spanish  Mackerel  are  frequently  very  plenty  here  during  the 
season,  outside,  and  well  to  the  inside  at  times.  The  two  small 
Conch  Keys  lie  about  one  mile  inside  the  Key  line,  between 
channels,  about  two-thirds  distance  between  Long  and  Duck  Keys. 

Between  Duck  Keys  and  Bahia  Honda  Key  harbor  and  channels 
there  are  on  the  outside  Key  line  sixteen  Keys,  not  counting  some 
very  small  unnamed  ones  (on  the  charts).     They  are  Harbor,  Toms, 


234  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

Grassy,    Crawl    (3),  Vaca    (3),    Boot,    Knight,    Pigeon,    Molasses, 
Duck,  Bahia  Honda. 

As  all  of  the  fishes  of  the  Keys  are  caught  in  the  channels 
between  these  Keys,  and  as  the  story  of  one  is  the  story  of  all,  I  will 
have  to  group  them  together,  and  turn  the  twenty  channels  within 
the  distance  over  to  the  reader  to  make  his  own  choice. 


BAHIA    HONDA  HARBOR. 
THIRTY-TWO  MILES  NORTHEAST  OF  KEY  WEST. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  important  fishing  points  on  the  East  Coast. 
The  Harbor,  so-called,  is  about  four  miles  long  east  and  west,  and 
about  a  mile  wide  north  and  south.  I  mean  by  this  the  part  carrying 
good  depth  of  water.  From  this  Harbor  three  principal  channels 
lead  into  the  Bay  of  Florida  to  the  west ;  the  largest  and  deepest  one 
being  Big  Spanish  Key  Channel,  between  Little  Pine,  Grassy,  and 
Little  Spanish  Keys  on  the  north  and  No  Name,  Porpoise,  Mayos  and 
Annette  Keys  on  the  south. 

The  northern  channel  is  between  Little  Pine  on  the  south  and 
Johnson  and  Shellfish  Keys  on  the  north. 

The  southern  channel  is  between  No  Name,  Porpoise,  and  Mayo 
Keys  on  the  north  and  Big  Pine  Key  on  the  south. 

There  are  lesser  channels  and  banks  to  the  north  of  the  above 
mentioned  northern  one.  All  of  the  last  mentioned  Keys  are 
inside  of  the  outer  line  of  Keys  and  lie  at  nearly  right  angle  with  the 
outer  line. 

About  one  and  one-quarter  miles  to  the  southwest  of,  and  in  line 
with,  Bahia  Honda  Key  lie  the  two  West  Summerland  Keys,  with  a 
channel  to  the  west  between  Big  Pine  and  Torch  Keys. 

In  all  of  these  channels  there  are  all  sorts  of  Key  fishes.  Tarpon 
are  especially  abundant  here  at  times,  and  Barracuda,  Permits,  Group- 
ers, Snappers  of  all  varieties,  Mutton-fish,  Pork-fish,  Yellow  Tail, 
Grunts,  Porgies,  Angel-fish  of  four  varieties,  Spanish  Mackerel  and 
Kingfish  in  their  season  ;  Shell-fish,  Jewfish,  Hog-fish,  Mullet,  Jack, 
Crevalle,  and  Runners.  I  have  seen  many  Spanish  Mackerel  running 
half  a  mile  inside,  and  the  school  extending  out  onto  the  reef.  On 
the  sides  of  the  deepest  water  in   the  channel,  on  hard  bottom  and 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  235 

five  to  eight  feet  of  water,  Yellow  Tails,   Porgies,  and  Grunts,  in  all 
their  varieties,  are  plenty. 

One  drawback  here  is  the  large  number  of  small  Sharks,  from 
three  to  four  feet  long,  who  will  take  your  fishes  off  while  you  are 
reeling  them  in. 

FROM  BAHIA  HONDA  TO  KEY  WEST  (OUTSIDE). 

As  all  of  these  channels  are  similar  in  their  variety  of  fishes,  to 
save  repetition  I  will  have  to  group  them,  mentioning  especially  only 
Boca  Chica  channels. 

The  outside  line  of  Keys,  with  their  channels  of  same  names,  are 
as  follows,  viz  :  New  Found  Harbor  Keys  (4),  with  a  good  channel 
to  the  west  between  Ramrod,  north,  and  Summerland  and  Knock 
Down  Keys,  south  ;  then  Pyes  Harbor  Key,  with  a  first-class  channel 
west  between  Summerland  and  Knock  Down,  north,  and  Cudjoes 
Key,  south.  Then,  in  regular  line,  Sugar  Loaf  Key,  with  two  chan- 
nels, Deer  Island,  Saddle  Bunch  Keys  Harbor  and  channels,  which 
last  afford  especial  fine  sport ;  Saddle  Hill  Island,  Bird  Key,  Pelican 
Key  and  channels,  Geigers  Key,  with  Big  Coppit,  Rockland  and  East 
Rockland  Keys  west  of  it. 

The  next  is  Boca  Chica  Key,  with  three  channels.  This  is  quite 
a  noted  fishing  ground.  Here  there  is  almost  every  fish  of  the  Keys. 
Mango  Snappers  along  all  the  mangroves  where  there  is  deep  water. 
There  was  formerly  a  rock  quarry  here,  to  supply  rock  in  the  north- 
west channel  and  for  use  in  Key  West.  Near  the  old  dock,  and  in  a 
slough  coming  in  near  it,  there  are  fine  Snappers.  I  have  caught  some 
off  the  little  bridge  over  the  slough,  long  casting.  A  very  pleasant 
place  to  spend  a  few  days. 

Next  comes  Cow  Key  Channel,  and  then  Key  West  Channel  to 
Key  West. 


236  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

KEY  WEST. 

ABOUT    ONE    HUNDRED     AND    FORTY-THREE    NAUTICAL     MILES 
FROM   MIAMI,   USUAL  STEAMBOAT  COURSE. 

This  is  a  very  interesting  old  city,  but  I  have  very  little  to  add, 
from  the  angler's  standpoint,  to  what  I  have  already  written.  Here 
during  a  short  stay  you  can  usually  see  every  one  of  the  Key  fishes 
brought  in  alive  to  the  fishermen's  wharf,  and  it  is  of  course  quite  a 
rendezvous  for  yachtsmen  and  sport  fishermen.  All  sorts  of  boats 
can  be  chartered  for  long  or  short  cruises,  on  about  the  same  terms  as 
at  Miami.  As  is  well  known,  it  is  the  market  for  the  spongers  of  the 
East  Coast,  of  whom  there  are  hundreds  ;  and  it  is  the  market  and 
supply  point  for  the  residents  of  the  near-by  Keys. 

The  range  of  the  market  fishers  to  the  north  is,  as  a  general  state- 
ment, to  Bahia  Honda.  Their  cruises  are  from  twelve  to  forty-eight 
hours,  as  they  cannot  keep  their  fish  longer,  and  their  boats  are  open 
and  small,  with  little,  or  no,  cabins. 

I  made  a  trip  to  within  a  short  distance  of  East  Crawfish  Key 
northwest  of  Key  West,  where  I  caught  a  great  variety  of  fishes, 
including  Snappers  (Lane  and  Mangrove),  Groupers,  Porgies,  Grunts, 
and  the  salt-water  Bream  I  have  heretofore  mentioned,  and  which  I 
have  not  been  able  to  identify  with  anything  in  Bulletin  47  or  any- 
thing I  had  caught  before.  He  is  a  fine  game  and  edible  fish.  I 
would  rank  him  A.     Weight  averages  about  three-fourths  pound. 

Mr.  Henry  J.  Pierce,  a  veteran  pilot,  guide,  and  boatman  of  Key 
West,  piloted  me  to  the  above  grounds,  and  I  am  indebted  to  him  for 
the  description  of  the  following  inside  route  from  Key  West  to  Bahia 
Honda,  which  I  have  never  taken  ;  as  also  for  other  information  given 
me  regarding  fishes,  baits,  etc.,  in  the  Key  West  waters. 

He  recommends  as  bait  for  Tarpon :  Mullets,  Finny  Crabs, 
Pilchards  alive,  and  Bollioes.  For  Bluefish,  Snappers,  Mutton-fish, 
and  Groupers  :  Mullet  and  Crawfish.  Crabs  for  Permits  ;  and  Craw- 
fish and  Conchs  for  all  the  other  fishes  ;  and  told  me  Mullet  could  be 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  237 

had  all  around  Key  West.  I  have  never  used  them  there.  Narrow 
Shad  (I  presume  Menhaden)  are  good  bait  for  most  any  kind  of 
fishes.     His  opinions  are  the  same  as  my  own. 

Yellow  Jacks,  Bluefish,  Pompano,  and  Amber  Jacks  are  caught  on 
all  the  outside  reefs,  same  as  farther  north. 


238  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW  TO   CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

INSIDE  ROUTE  FROM  KEY  WEST  TO   BAHIA  HONDA. 

N.  W.  in  Calda  Channel  to  Flemmings  Key ;  then  N.  E.  between 
Channel  and  Desolation  Keys,  sailing  nearest  the  former ;  then  be- 
tween Dog  and  Hawk,  nearest  the  latter ;  then  midway  between 
Snake  and  Eagle  Nest ;  then  between  Crane  and  Wall,  nearest 
the  latter  ;  then  west  of  Whiting  ;  then  midway  between  Saddle 
Bunch  and  Snipe  ;  then  on  N.  E.  to  the  west  of  Sugar  Loaf  and  Cud- 
joes  ;  then  between  Michaels  and  Budd  ;  then  south  of  Raccoon  ;  then 
between  Water  and  Torch  ;  then  N.  W.  of  Howes  ;  then  S.  E.  into 
the  channels  between  Annette  and  Howes,  and  Big  Pine,  south,  and 
Mayos  and  Porpoise,  north  ;  then  down  on  the  north  side  of  No  Name 
Key  into  Bahia  Honda  Harbor. 

No  boat  drawing  over  two  to  two  and  a  half  feet  of  water  should 
attempt  the  above  route.  Fishes  on  the  route :  Tarpon,  Gray  Snapper, 
Lane  Snapper,  Groupers,  Pompano,  Bluefish,  Lady-fish,  Grunts, 
Porgies,  etc.,  of  course  in  the  channels  and  rock  bottoms. 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


239 


CHAPTER   XX. 


EAST    COAST    HOTEL   AND    BOARDING    HOUSE   LIST. 


Location  and  Name 
of  Hotel. 


Name  of  Proprietor 
or  Manager. 


Rate 
Per  Day. 


Rate 
Per  Week. 


Atlantic  Beach. 

Continental  Hotel 

BOYNTON,  FLA. 

Hotel    Boynton 

City  Point,  Fla. 

Hatter    House 

Cocoa,  Fla. 

Jarvis   House 

Thomas  House 

Indianola  (Cocoa  Sta'n) 

Indianola  House 

Daytona,  Fla. 

The   Colonnades 

The   Ridgewood 

Schmidt's  Villa 

Holly  Inn 

Palmetto 

Volunteer 

Halifax  House 

Daytona  House 

Van  Dorn  Cottage 

The  Oaks 

Troy  House 

City  Hotel 

Clarendon  Inn 

Restaurant  and  Rooms 

Fountain  City  Hotel... 
Eau  Gallie,  Fla. 

Grenada 

Boarding  House 

Eden,  Fla. 

Netherly  House 

Fort  Lauderdale,  Fi.a. 

Wallace    House 

Fort  Pierce,  Fla. 

Fort  Pierce  Hotel 

Jensen,  Fla. 

Al  Fresco 

Key  West,  Fla. 

Hotel  Key  West 

Duval  House 

Edgar  House 

Private    Board 

Lantana,  Fla. 

Lantana  House 

Lemon  City,  Fla. 

Carey  House 


Florida  East  Coast  Hotel  Co. 

N.  S.  Boynton 

Mrs.  J.  D.  Hatter 


Mrs.  Jarvis 

Mrs.  Thomas. 


$2.00 

1.50 

2.00 
1.00 


$12.00 

8.00 

10.00 
6.00 


G.  W.  Schuyler. 


C.  C.   Post 

Rose  &  Lang  worthy. 
Henry   Schmidt 


T.  L.  Rogers 

Mrs.  W.  Van  Dorn 

Mrs.  G.  Silvernail 

Mrs.  M.  Troy 

G.  H.    Matthews j 

Leonard  Gill 2 

Miss  Parkins 

Leon  Despland 


G.  G.  Gleason 

Mrs.  C.  L.  Taylor. 


M.  A.    Curtis. 


A.  J.  Wallace. 
F.  M.  Tyler..., 
J.  L.  Jensen 


3.50 
3.00 
2.00 
2.50 
2.00 
1.50 
1.00 
2.00 
1.50 
1.50 
1.50 
1.50 
50  and  up 
1.50 


2.50 


Mrs.  O'Bryan. 
M.  B.  Lyman. 
J.   T.   Carey... 


2.50 
1.50 
2.50 
2.00 


2.00 
2.00 
1.50 

2.00 

2.00 


8.00 

17.50 
20.00 

Special. 

Special. 

Special. 
10.00 

Special. 

10.00 

10.00 

8.00 

Special. 

Special. 


Special. 
Special. 

Special. 
5.00 

15.00 

9.00 

15.00 

.00  to  12.00 


Special. 
Special. 
Special. 

12.00 

.00  to  10.00 


240  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

EAST  COAST  HOTEL  AND  BOARDING  HOUSE  LIST.  —  (Continued.) 


Location  and  Name 
of  Hotel. 


Melbourne,  Fla. 

Carleton 

Belleview 

Riverside 

Snedeker's 

Merritt,  Fla. 

Nevin's  Riverview 

Miami,  Fla. 

Hotel  Royal  Palm 

Biscayne 

Everglade 

Bay  View 

Mims,  Fla. 

Roberts' 

Strahan's 

New  Smyrna,  Fla. 

Ocean  House 

Hillsboro  Inn 

Palmetto  House 

Boarding  Houses 

Oak  Hill,  Fla. 

Barker's 

Adams' 

Ormond,  Fla. 

Ormond  Hotel 

Coquina  

River  View 

Rose  Villa 

Osteen,  Fla. 

Pattillo's 

Blauvelt's 

Pablo  Beach. 

Hotel  Pablo 

Palm  Beach,  Fla. 

Hotel  Royal  Poinciana 

The  Breakers  (formerly 
The  Inn) 

The  Hybiscus 

Delmore  Cottage 

Palm  Beach  Hotel 

Ponce  Park,  Mosquito 

Inlet. 

Park  Hotel 

Pacetti   House 

Port  Orange,  Fla. 

Port  Orange  House. . 

Hardeman's 

Riviera,  Fla. 

Hotel  Riviera 

ROCKLEDGE,   FLA. 

Hotel  Indian  River... 

Plaza 

New  Rockledge 

White  Cottage 


Name  of  Proprietor 
or  Manager. 


F.  Robertson 

W.  R.  Campbell. 
C.  L.  McBride..., 
H.  O.  Snedeker. . 


Rate 
Per  Day. 


$2.00 
2.50 
1.50 
LOO 


J.  J.  Wilkinson. 


Florida  East  Coast  Hotel  Co. 

S.    Graham 

T.  N.   Gautier 

D.  M.  Conally 


Rate 
Per  Week. 


$10.00 

12.00 

7.00 

6.00 


5.00 

2.50  to  4.00  12.50  to  30.00 
2.50  to  3.50  12.00  to  18.00 


1.50 


Harry  Roberts. 
F.  A.    Strahan. 


F.  W.  Sams 

P.  L.  Paul 

Mrs.  S.  H.  Ray. 
Mrs.   Moeller.... 


H.  P.  Barker., 
T.  M.  Adams. 


Florida  East  Coast  Hotel  Co. 
J.  A.   Bostrom 

E.  Lee 

F.  Mason 


4.00 
2.50 
1.00 
2.50 

LOO 
1.00 

Mrs.  E.  P.  Shipman  2.00 

Florida  East  Coast  Hotel  Co.  5.00  and  up 


Mrs.  J.  E.  Pattillo. 
J.  A.  Blauvelt 


Florida  East  Coast  Hotel  Co. 

E.  R.  Jenkins 

Mrs.  R.  B.  Moore 

Chas.  A.  Stone , 


Mr.  Ellison 

Mrs.  M.  J.  Pacetti 


E.  A.  Brohm.... 
Mrs.  Hardeman. 


A.  E.  Heyser. 


S.  H.  Peck 

H.  P.  Shares  &  Son 
J.  J.  White 


4.00  and 
2.50 
2.00 
2.00 


2.50 
2.00 

2.00 
1.50 

2.00 

4.00 
2.50 
2.50 
1.50 


up 


8.00  to  10.00 

5.00 
5.00 

15.00 

10.00 
Special. 
Special. 

5.00 
5.00 


10.00 

6.00 

15.00 

4.00 
4.00 

10.00 


Special. 
12,00 
10.00 


12.00 
10.00 

9.00 
5.00 

10.00  to  15.00 

Special. 

Special. 

Special. 

7.00  to  10.00 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 


241 


EAST  COAST  HOTEL  AND  BOARDING  HOUSE  LIST.  —(Continued.) 


Location  and  Name 
of  Hotel. 


Name  of  Proprietor 
or  Manager. 


Lawrence  C.  Moore 


Florida  East  Coast  Hotel  Co. 
Florida  East  Coast  Hotel  Co. 
Florida  East  Coast  Hotel  Co. 

Palmer  &  McDowell 

Mrs.  Tyler 


ROSELAND,   FLA. 

Ercildoune  Inn 

St.  Augustine,  Fla 

Ponce  de  Leon 

Alcazar 

Cordova  

Magnolia 

St.   George 

Florida F.  C.  Hayden 

Buckingham iGeo.  C.  Howe 

Granada H.  Wauchenheusen. 

Barcelona i  Miss  Hasseltine 

Valencia. Mrs.  Mary  Frazier.  . , 

Algonquin '\ 

Ocean  View 

Craddock  House Mrs.  J.  E.  Craddock 

Argy le M  rs.  A twood , 

La  Posada Mrs.  Rumley 

The  Neligan Mrs.  H.  Neligan 

La  Borde S.  W.  Cole 

Palmetto J.  S.  Bentley 

The  Abbey I 


Rate 
Per  Day. 


Spear  Mansion Mrs.  A.  R.   Spencer. 


f3.00 

00  and  up 

00  and  up 

Rooms 

3.00 

2.50 
00  to    300 

2.50 

2.50 

2.00 

2.50 

2.00 

2.50 

2.00 
50  and  up 

1.50 

1.50 


Rate 
Per  Week. 


.$20.00 


only. 

Special. 
Special. 
Special. 
Special. 
Special. 
10.00 
Special. 
Special. 
Special. 
Special. 

Special. 
7.00 


1.50 


7.00 


Teahan  House W.  M.  Teahan. 

Plaza  Hotel B.  D.  Sanchez. 


Lynn's  Arcade , 

Allen  House 

Munson    House 

Seabreeze  (see  Daytona). 
Sebastian,  Fla. 

Palm  House 

Morrow  House 

Stuart,  Fla. 

Retching's 

Boarding  House , 

Titusville,  Fla. 

Indian  River  Hotel 

Gray's  Cottage 

Gould's 

Bauknight's 

West  Jupiter. 

Carlin   House 

West  Palm  Beach. 

The  Palms 

The  Seminole 

Earman   House 

The  Leamington 

Boarding  House 

Boarding  House 


J.  H.  Lynn  &  Co. 
Mrs.  Dan  Allen... 
F.  Munson 


S.   Retching 

Mrs.  J.  Morrow. 

B.  Retching 

J.  S.  Danforth.. 


2.00 
2.00 

.50 

2.00 
1.50 
1.50 


2.00 
2.00 

1.50 


(  Special 
(  by  week, 
f  Special 
\  by  week, 
f  Rooms 
(        only. 

Special. 

Special. 

Special. 


10.00 
8.00 


7.00 


J.  T.  Bast 

Mrs.  Gray 

Mrs.  Gould. . . 
C.  Bauknight. 


2.50 

10.00 

1.50 

7.00 

1.00 

5.00 

1.00 

5.00 

Mrs.  M.  M.   Carlin. 


2.00 


J.  C.  Stowers 

Geo.  Zapf 

Mrs.  S.  F.  Earman 

Mrs.  Madison 2 

L.  D.  Lockwood 

H.  T.  Grant 


10.00 


2.00         10.00  to  18.00 
2.00         12.00  to  15.00 
2.00         10.00  to  12.00 
00  to  2. 50       Special. 
2.50  Special. 

2.00         8.00   and  up. 


Handsome  Souvenir  Pamphlet  will  be  mailed  upon  application. 


242  WHERE,    WHEN,   AXD   HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


CHAPTER   XXI. 

As  I  have  heretofore  said,  the  market  fishing  at  Key  West  is  with 
hand  lines  and  wire  fish  traps.  The  latter  appliance  is  made  of 
^6 -inch  iron  wire  and  usually  is  about  three  feet  long,  one  and  one- 
half  broad,  and  one  and  one-half  high.  The  fisherman  takes  it  out 
in  his  boat  and  puts  into  it  the  shells,  antennae  and  some  of  the  meat 
of  crawfishes,  sinking  it  alongside  his  boat.  The  fish  enter  it  by  a 
circuitous  route,  nearly  all  not  being  able  to  find  their  way  out ;  the 
catch  with  it  will  average  about  the  same  as  with  the  hand  line, 
possibly  somewhat  more,  so  the  fisherman  has  two  strings  to  his  bow. 
My  especial  wary  friends  of  the  Snapper  and  Pompano  families  are 
not  often  inveigled  into  the  contrivance,  one  or  two  to  the  "drop" 
being  a  fair  average.  The  "  drop"  is  a  term  by  which  the  fishermen 
here  designate  each  anchorage. 

Messrs.  Walter  and  Jefferson  Griffin  make  a  specialty  of  Pompano 
fishing.  During  my  visit  of  sixteen  days,  in  December,  1901,  they 
brought  in  eighty-five  one  day  and  seventy-five  the  next  day ;  as  that 
fish  sells  at  a  higher  price  than  any  other,  they  are  not  much  called  for 
and,  consequently,  not  many  are  caught ;  none  are  shipped.  On 
December  26th  I  went  out  with  Walter  after  Pompano,  a  party  of 
four  catching  forty  in  about  three  hours  —  twenty  with  rod  and  reel 
and  twenty  with  hand  line. 

The  Griffins  are  also  very  expert  in  catching  all  the  bottom  and 
other  fishes,  having  caught  on  several  separate  occasions  thirty-one 
different  varieties  during  a  morning's  fishing  of  two  to  four  hours, 
and  three  or  four  "drops."  Several  times  I  knew  of  Jefferson 
catching  250  fishes,  leaving  home  about  5  A.  M.  and  returning  about 
12  M.  He  often  stopped  at  my  boat  to  show  me  his  rare  specimens. 
They  do  not  bring  in  the  foul  fishes,  such  as  Sharks,  Rays,  Sawfish, 
Catfish,  Toadfish,  etc.,  etc.  These  are  much  less  troublesome  here, 
and  among  the  near-by  Keys,  than  at  any  other  place  I  have  visited 
in  the  State  of  Florida.  Nearly  all  the  highly  colored  species  are 
quite  plenty,  such  as  Angel-fish,  Parrot-fish,  Groupers,  Mangroves, 
Schoolmasters,  Lane  and  Yellowtail  Snappers,  Porkfish,  Hogfish, 
Spanish  Mackerel,  etc. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  243 

I  have  visited  the  Naples  (Italy),  Brighton  (England),  and  New 
York  aquariums,  and  the  U.  S.  Fish  Commission's  aquarium  exhibits 
at  the  National  Expositions  at  Philadelphia,  New  Orleans,  Chicago, 
Atlanta,  and  Buffalo  ;  and  have  looked  through  the  fish  markets  of 
London  (Billingsgate),  New  York  (Fulton),  Boston,  Philadelphia, 
New  Orleans,  Mobile,  Pensacola,  San  Francisco,  Portland,  Ore., 
Victoria, Columbia,  Quebec,  Havana,  Cuba,  Nassau,  Bahamas,  Amster- 
dam, Vienna,  Venice,  Catania,  Genoa,  Palermo,  Naples,  Messina, 
Nice,  Marseilles,  Malta,  Algiers,  Tunis,  and  those  of  many  smaller 
places,  and  must  say  I  think  that  during  any  one  week  of  good 
weather  several  of  the  most  expert  fishermen  of  Key  West  each  catch 
a  greater  number  of  species  than  were  in  any  one  of  the  above- 
mentioned  collections. 

Nearly  all  the  fish  are  sold  by  the  fishermen  direct  to  the  con- 
sumer, there  being  no  so-called  "Fish  House,"  or  "Factor,"  in 
the  city.  Many  Kingfish  are,  however,  sold,  or  shipped  for  sale,  to 
Cuba,  the  fishermen  receiving  written  tenders  or  bids  for  them, 
selling  to  the  highest  bidder. 

Localities  for  bottom  fishing  :  About  one -fourth  mile  northwest 
of  the  "Small  Fleet  Harbor"  and  continue  about  six  miles  in  same 
direction  on  the  edge  of,  in,  and  near  the  northwest  channel :  for 
Grunt,  Porgies,  Sailor's  Choice,  Snappers  of  all  kinds,  Cavalles, 
Runners,  etc.,  and  occasional  Pompanos,  Bluefish,  and  Spanish 
Mackerel.  Also  for  same  fishes,  Pearl  Channel,  American  Banks, 
Target  Bank,  about  northwest  of  city  ;  Crawfish  Channel,  and  Head 
and  Pebble  Channel,  about  west ;  and  Bluefish  Channel,  three  miles 
due  north. 

Trolling,  called  in  Key  West  "  towing,"  for  Kingfish,  Barracuda, 
Amber  Jacks,  Large  Permits,  etc.,  in  the  channel  leading  out  to  the 
sea,  and  in  front  of  the  city,  south  and  southeast. 

For  Yellow  Tails,  especially  :  At  the  red  buoy  off  Fort  Taylor ; 
on  the  edge  of  Crawford  Bar ;  and  in  the  ship  channel  to  the  western 
dry  rocks,  on  the  patches.  All  sorts  of  fish  are  caught  on  the  various 
reefs. 

Owing  to  the  coral  formation,  which  precludes  the  use  of  seines, 
and  the  peculiar  methods  of  fishing  and  sale  of  the  fish,  it  would 
seem  they  cannot  be  so  easily  partially  exhausted  as  they  have  been 
in  some  localities  on  both  the  western  and  eastern  coasts. 

In  view  of  all  of  the  above,  I   wonder  why  Key  West  has   not 


244  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

heretofore  attracted  more  attention  from  the  salt-water  angling 
fraternity.  Parties  stopping  at  the  Royal  Palm,  Miami,  and  at  the 
Royal  Poinciana  and  The  Breakers,  Palm  Beach,  can  take  the  steamer 
at  Miami,  arriving  at  Key  West  within  sixteen  hours,  spend  some 
days  fishing,  if  they  have  favorable  weather,  and  return  same  route 
in  same  time. 

The  Griffin  Brothers  and  Merritt  Brothers,  although  market 
fishers,  and  Henry  J.  Pierce,  will  at  all  times  be  glad  to  take  parties 
out  and  will  usually  give  them  good  sport. 

On  leaving  Key  West,  December  27,  1901,  I  took  what  the 
fishermen  and  sailors  call  the  "bay  way  "  north,  running  out  through 
Calda  Channel  into  the  Bay  of  Florida,  and  then  northeast,  leaving 
the  inside  line  of  Keys  on  the  right  to  the  east,  running  into  Big 
Spanish  Key  Channel  to  Bahia  Honda.  A  very  pleasant  and  com- 
paratively easy  course  during  southerly  and  easterly  winds.  This 
course  can  be  continued  on  to  Knight's  Channel  leading  east  to 
Knight's  Key,  on  the  coast,  thus  passing  by,  to  the  west,  all  the 
inner  Keys  between  Key  West  and  Sombrero  Lighthouse. 

I  arrived  at  Ponce  Park  October  10,  1901,  and  found  heavy  rains 
had  prevailed  for  several  weeks,  which  had  made  the  water  in  Halifax 
River  so  fresh  that  the  fishing,  usually  very  good  at  that  time,  was 
very  poor.  There  were  no  Bluefish,  or  but  occasionally  one,  and 
very  few  Trout,  or  others  of  the  great  variety  caught  there  in  other 
seasons.  Channel  Bass  were  in  moderate  supply  in  the  surf,  and  near 
the  inlet  on  the  banks  inside.  I  left  there  on  the  30th  for  a 
cruise  to  Key  West,  remained  three  days  at  New  Smyrna  on  Hillsboro 
River,  five  miles  south  of  Ponce  Park,  where  I  found  very  good  fish- 
ing for  all  the  fishes  of  the  locality,  the  water  there  being  almost  as 
salt  as  usual,  because  there  are  no  fresh-water  streams  emptying  into 
the  Hillsboro. 

My  next  stop  was  at  Indian  River  Inlet,  where  I  found  all  the 
conditions  favorable  ;  plenty  of  Snappers,  Groupers,  Channel  Bass, 
Cavalle,  etc.,  etc. 

During  the  year  1891  a  law  has  been  passed  forbidding  seine  fish- 
ing entirely  in  Indian  River,  but  allowing  gill  nets  and,  of  course, 
cast  nets.  This  law,  and  the  one  regarding  the  one-mile  limit,  are 
well  observed  at  the  inlet,  so  it  will  soon  be  known  what  the  result 
of  the  new  law  will  be.  In  addition  to  the  above  stops,  I  made  one, 
each,    at    Jupiter,    Lake    Worth    Inlet,    Miami,    Bears    Cut,   Csesar's 


ON    THE  EAST   COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  245 

Creek,  Angelfish  Creek,  Jewfish  Creek,  Boggy,  Tavernier  Creek, 
Cow  Pen,  Indian  Key,  and  Bahia  Honda,  at  all  of  which  places  I 
had  very  poor  success,  except  at  Indian  Key,  Boggy  and  Cow  Pen, 
owing  to  prevailing  "  Northers."  At  Indian  Key  I  had  fine  Barra- 
cuda fishing,  trolling  with  rod  and  reel,  10#  hook,  cut  fish  bait, 
around  Alligator  Lighthouse,  and  inside  in  the  channels  for  the 
assortment  of  bottom  fishes  and  Pompano.  At  Boggy  and  Cow  Pen, 
Snappers,  Groupers,  Grunts,  etc. 

The  above  cruise  shows  plainly  the  effect  cold  weather  will  have 
on  the  fishing.  I  had  warm  days  at  the  points  named,  where  I  did 
well,  and  cold  at  all  the  others.  This  season,  so  far,  has  been  an 
unusually  cold,  wet,  and  windy  one,  the  worst  I  have   ever  seen  m 

Florida. 

I  ascertained  that  a  new  inlet  had  been  cut  at  New  River,  which 
carries  six  to  seven  feet  of  water,  and  that  the  fishing  there  had  im- 
proved. I  came  through  the  canal  to  the  inlet  going  through  it,  and 
outside  to  Bears  Cut  on  Biscay ne  Bay. 

Before  taking  leave  of  my  readers  I  will  say  that  during  an  angling 
experience  of  sixty-four  years  I  have  never  had  as  much  pleasure  in 
any  other  locality  as  I  have  on  the  East  Coast  of  Florida. 

Not  many  years  ago  it  was  the  fashion  among  the  Brook  Trout, 
Black  Bass,  Salmon,  Onananiche,  and  other  fresh  water  anglers  of  the 
North  to  look  down  upon  their  salt  water  brothers ;  but  that  feeling 
does  not  now  prevail  to  any  great  extent,  because  more  and  more  of 
the  fraternity  have  taken  to  the  ocean  fishes,  and  especially  so  since 
the  Tarpon  has  become  known  as  a  game  fish,  and  since  the  Flagler 
System  of  Hotels  on  the  East  Coast  and  the  Plant  System  on  the 
West  Coast  have  been  inaugurated. 

The  Tarpon,  Barracuda,  Amber  Jack,  Kingfish,  and  Bonefish, 
when  caught  with  rod  and  reel,  certainly  deserve  to  rank  with  the 
Salmon  and  Mascalonge  in  game  qualities  ;  the  Lady-fish  and  Pompano 
are  the  equals  of  the  Onananiche ;  and  the  Mangrove  Snapper, 
Spanish  Mackerel,  and  Bluefish  far  excel  the  Black  Bass,  Wall-eyed 
Pike  and  Pickerel  in  game  and  edible  qualities. 

I  have  fished  in  nearly  all  of  the  States  and  Territories  of  the 
Union,  including  the  Pacific  Coast,  and  in  British  America,  in  many 
places,  from  Victoria  on  the  West  to  Lake  St.  John  and  the  Saguenay 
River  on  the  east,  including  the  north  and  south  and  east  and  west 
shores  of  the   Great    Lakes,    Georgian   Bay,   and  the  St.    Lawrence 


246  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

River ;  in  the  Adirondacks,  Rangely  Lakes,  as  well  as  in  very  many 
lakes  and  rivers  in  the  States  of  New  York,  Michigan,  Wisconsin, 
and  Minnesota,  catching  all  the  game  fishes  in  those  localities. 

I  have  also  fished  in  salt  water  along  the  Atlantic  Coast  from 
Atlantic  City  to  Old  Orchard,  Maine,  trolling  for  Bluefish  at  all  of 
the  most  important  places  north  to  Nantucket,  and  still  fishing  all 
along  the  route ;  and  still  I  say,  give  me  the  East  Coast  of  Florida 
from  Ormond  to  Key  West. 

I  will  add,  too,  that  I  have  fished  a  little  in  Scotland,  France, 
Germany,  Austria,  and  Italy,  but  none  of  their  waters  even  deserve 
mention  as  compared  to  the  American  and  Canadian,  salt  or  fresh. 

During  the  past  few  years,  while  on  cruises  down  Indian  River 
from  the  Haulover  to  Jupiter,  I  have  wondered  why  the  residents 
along  the  river  have  not  availed  themselves  of  the  State  laws  to  stop 
the  indiscriminate  fishing  done  there. 

I  am  not  writing  this  from  a  visiting  angler's  standpoint,  but,  I 
believe,  in  the  interest  of  all  concerned  —  the  angler,  the  resident,  the 
market  fisher,  and  the  railroad  and  express  companies  who  carry  the 
fish  to  market. 

If  the  quantities  of  fish  caught  can  be  even  temporarily  curtailed 
by  the  adoption  of  the  laws  in  force  on  the  Halifax  and  Hillsboro 
rivers,  the  fish  will,  the  first  season,  become  more  plentiful,  and  will 
last  as  long  as  the  laws  are  enforced. 

It  might  be  a  good  plan  to  adopt  the  laws  for  a  period  of  two  or 
three  years,  then  open  season  for  the  same  length  of  time,  and  again 
a  close  season,  and  so  on  indefinitely.  This  plan  of  open  and  close 
seasons  was  several  years  ago  tried  in  the  State  of  Maine,  where  they 
have  the  best  system  of  game  laws,  and  the  most  rigidly  enforced,  of 
any  State  in  the  Union,  with  the  sure  and  natural  result,  that  there  is 
plenty  of  game  and  fish  for  everybody,  and  the  hunting  and  fishing 
resorts,  clubs,  and  hotels  are  full  of  people  during  the  proper  seasons. 
The  law  should  not  apply  to  Spanish  Mackerel  and  Bluefish,  as  they 
are  migratory  fishes  and  are  caught  mostly  outside. 

As  it  is  now,  on  Indian  River,  Lake  Worth,  and  the  canal 
between  Lake  Worth  and  Biscayne  Bay,  "the  goose  that  lays  the 
golden  egg"  is  certainly  being  killed.  I  venture  to  quote  here  the 
saying  attributed  to  a  northwestern  Indian,  which  reads:  "White 
man,  heap  dam  fool,  he  kill  all  the  deer  and  catch  all  the  fish,  bime 
by  he  got  none  ;  heap  clam  fool." 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  247 

Now,  a  few  words  about  yachts.  If  you  buy,  build,  or  charter  a 
boat,  desiring  to  cruise  and  fish  in  the  inside  waters  of  the  East 
Coast,  anywhere  between  Ormond  and  Key  West,  select  the  sailboat, 
launch,  or  auxiliary,  of  the  kind,  size,  or  rig  you  wish,  but  don' I  have 
it  draw  more  than  two  feet.  More  draught  will  surely  bring  you  to 
grief,  and  will  prevent  you  from  visiting  many  very  desirable  places. 

In  closing,  I  desire  to  acknowledge  my  obligations  to  Capt.  John 
Gardner  for  his  invaluable  assistance  and  information  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  this  book  ;  to  Messrs.  Julius  vom  Hofe,  Edward  vom  Hofe, 
B.  C.  Milam  &  Sons,  and  the  H.  H.  Kiffe  Co.,  for  the  loan  of  their 
electrotypes  for  the  illustrations  of  fishing  tackle ;  to  the  Florida 
East  Coast  R'y  Co.  for  the  loan  of  their  map  of  the  East  Coast, 
and  hotel  and  boarding  house  list ;  and  to  the  officials  of  the  United 
States  Fish  Commission,  and  the  United  States  National  Museum,  for 
their  many  courtesies,  in  promptly  and  kindly  sending  me  books  and 
information  asked  for. 

It  has  been  intimated  to  me  that  because  I  have  used  the  map 
of  the  East  Coast  of  Florida,  and  the  list  of  hotels  and  boarding 
houses  of  the  coast  issued  by  the  East  Coast  Railway  Company,  and 
because  the  Matthews-Northrup  Works,  who  do  much  work  for  that 
Company,  are  my  printers,  that  my  book  may  be  considered  by  some 
people  an  advertising  medium  for  the  East  Coast  Railway  and  East 
Coast  hotel  companies. 

I  deem  the  subject  of  enough  importance  to  explain  the  situation. 

When  I  first  concluded  to  write  and  publish  my  book  I  called  on 
the  proper  official  of  the  Railway  Company  and  requested  the 
privilege  of  using  the  map  and  hotel  list,  explaining  that  I  was  not 
soliciting  an  advertisement,  directly  nor  indirectly  ;  that  my  book 
would  be  my  own  individual  venture,  and  that  I  neither  needed  nor 
wanted  any  advertising  matter  in  the  work. 

On  the  above  basis  the  official  kindly  allowed  me  the  use  of 
whatever  literature  of  the  Company  I  might  want,  and  I  have  acknowl- 
edged the  favor  and  repeat  the  acknowledgment  here.  The  net 
result  of  the  interview  was,  that  the  railway  and  hotel  companies  were 
not  to  stand  sponsors  for  my  book,  and  that  I  was  not  to  stand  sponsor 
for  the  conduct  of  their  business,  so  the  reader  may  not  fear  he  is 
being  trapped  into  reading  an  advertisement  after  the  fashion  of  some 
of  the  modern  newspapers.  If  the  book  should,  incidentally,  be  of 
any  benefit  to  the  companies  by  leading  few,  or  many,  sportsmen  to 


24<S  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

come  to  Florida  who  would  not  otherwise  come,  I  shall  certainly  feel 
gratified,  but  do  not  .want,  nor  expect,  any  recompense,  directly, 
indirectly,  nor  remotely. 

All  I  desire  is  the  same  kind,  considerate,  and  very  liberal  and 
lavish  entertainment  and  treatment  which  has  always  been  accorded 
to  the  patrons  of  the  companies,  including  myself. 

When  Charles  Hallock  wrote  his  "  Fishing  Tourist,"  in  1873, 
he  mentioned  the  routes  of  travel  to  reach  the  localities  he  described  ; 
and  Doctor  Henshall,  in  his  ''Camping  and  Cruising  in  Florida," 
1884,  did  the  same,  mentioning  hotels,  boarding  houses,  routes  of 
travel,  boatmen,  guides,  other  individuals,  etc.,  and  nearly  all 
angling  writers  have  done  the  same,  as  all  should  have  done,  as  the 
information  is,  or  may  be,  very  valuable  to  their  readers. 

I  read  the  two  above  mentioned  books  soon  after  their  publication. 
The  first  one  took  me  to  the  Adirondacks,  Maine,  and  Canada ;  and 
the  later  one,  I  am  very  glad  to  say,  brought  me  to  Florida  for  the 
first  time.  The  railways  and  hotels  got  some  of  my  money,  but  I 
don't  think  either  Mr.  Hallock  or  the  Doctor  got  any  of  it,  except 
what  I  paid  for  their  books.  In  fact,  I  consider  myself  in  debt  to 
both  those  gentlemen,  as  they  have  given  me  much  pleasure,  and 
also  improvement  in  health. 

At  the  risk  of  being  charged  with  repetition  after  repetition,  I 
will  again  say :  Do  not  try  to  catch  fish  on  the  East  Coast  of  Florida, 
except  the  migratory  ones  —  the  Bluefish,  Kingfish,  and  Spanish 
Mackerel  —  during  the  prevalence  of  a  "Norther,"  or  during  un- 
usual cold  weather.  If  you  do  not  heed  this  admonition,  going 
contrary  to  it,  and  catch  no  fish,  please  do  not  blame  me,  nor  accuse 
me  of  telling  big  fish  stories. 

While  examining  the  Ladyfish  and  the  Bonefish  among  the  illus- 
trations in  Bulletin  47  I  became  fully  satisfied  that  the  illustrations  of 
the  two  fishes  were  transposed,  either  by  typographical  error  or  other- 
wise, so  have  placed  the  engraving  of  "  Albula  Vulpes "  over  the 
Ladyfish,  and  the  "  Elops  Saurus"  over  the  Bonefish. 

In  making  this  change  for  insertion  in  my  book  I  inadvertently 
omitted  to  also  change  the  descriptions  in  the  text,  of  which  fact  the 
reader  will  please  take  notice,  and  read  accordingly. 

My  angling  experience  told  me  at  a  glance  that  the  illustrations 
were  misplaced,  as  I  had  caught  many  of  each  species  ;  but  the  ques- 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  249 

tion  arose  as  to  which  was  entitled  to  the  scientific  name  of  "  Albula 
Vulpes,"  and  which  to  that  of  "  Elops  Saurus." 

To  satisfy  my  doubts  on  that  subject  I  have  examined  the  U.  S. 
Fish  Commission  reports,  and  other  works,  and  am  satisfied  the 
"Albula  Vulpes"  is  the  well-known  Ladyfish,  and  the  "Elops 
Saurus  "  is  the  less-known  "Bonefish  "  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Keys, 
brought  into  prominence  among  the  anglers  of  the  East  Coast  within 
the  last  ten  years  by  Mr.  J.  B.  McFerran  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  of  which 
more  anon. 

My  authorities  for  making  the  change  are  as  follows  : 

Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Bulletin  16,  1883,  page  258,  who  classify 
"  Albula  Vulpes  "  with  common  name  of  "  Ladyfish es,"  and,  page 
261,  "Elops  Saurus"  with  common  name  "Big-eyed  Herring." 
The  former  in  family  "Albulidae,"  the  latter  in  family   "Elopidse." 

Bulletin  47,  1896,  Jordan  &  Evermann,  pages  409,  410,  411, 
"Albula  Vulpes,"  common  names,  "Lady-fish,"  "Bone-fish," 
"Macabi,"  "Sanducha,"  "Banana-fish."  Family  "Albulidge." 
This  is  the  only  Lady-fish  described  in  the  Bulletin  47. 

Albula  or  albus,  Latin  for  white,  and  Vulpes  is  fox,  so  the  Latin 
name  of  the  fish  is  "  White  Fox." 

Same  work,  pages  408,  409,  410,  has  "Elops  Saurus,"  common 
names,  "Ten-pounder,"  "John  Mariggle,"  "  Boney-fish,"  "Big- 
eyed  Herring,"  "  Matajuela  Real,"  "Chiro,"  "Lisa  Francesca." 
The  fish  is  classified  as  of  the  family  "Elopidae,"  "The  Tarpons," 
species  "  Elops."  The  common  name  of  Lady-fish  is  not  applied  to 
this  fish  in  the  work. 

G.  Brown  Goode,  "American  Fishes,  1887,"  page  410,  "Albula 
Vulpes."      Common  names,  "Lady-fish,"  "Bonefish." 

U.  S.  Commission,  1895,  Jordan  &  Evermann.  In  check  list, 
page  280,  "  Albula  Vulpes. "      Common  name,  "Lady-fish,"  etc. 

Same  work,  "Elops  Saurus."  Common  name,  "Ten-pounder," 
etc. 

U.  S.  Commission,  1896,  "Fishes  of  Indian  River,"  page  240, 
"Elops  Saurus."  Common  names,  "Big-Eyed  Herring,"  "Ten- 
pounder,"  "Boney-fish."  Page  285,  "Elops  Saurus."  Common 
name,  ' '  Ten-pounder. ' ' 

U.  S.  Commission,  1897,  page  91,  Hugh  M.  Smith,  "Albula 
Vulpes."      Common  name,  "Lady-fish." 


250  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

Same  work,  "  Elops  Saurus."  Common  names,  "  Ten-pounder," 
"  Big-Eyed  Herring." 

U.  S.  Commission,  1899,  Evermann  &  Kendall,  page  55, 
' '  Albula  Vulpes. ' '  Common  names,  ' '  Ladyfish , "  "  Bonefish . ' ' 
Page  54,  "Elops  Saurus."  Only  common  name,  "Ten-pounder." 
Classed  in  the  "Elopidas,"  "The  Tarpons." 

My  excuse  for  inflicting  upon  my  readers  the  above  long  explana- 
tion, or  discussion,  is  that  the  Bonefish  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  the 
Keys  has  become  very  prominent  as  a  sportsman's  fish,  and  there  has 
been,  and  is  now,  considerable  dispute  as  to  his  proper  name.  The 
scientific  works  are  not  accessible  to  all  anglers  and  fishermen,  so  I 
have  undertaken  to  clear  up  the  difficulties  as  far  as  possible.  There 
is  no  doubt  whatever  that  the  fish  has  borne  the  name  of  Bonefish 
where  he  is  mostly  caught,  on  the  East  Coast,  for  fifteen  years  or 
more. 

Mr.  J.  B.  McFerran  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  who  has  fished  for  sport 
on  the  East  Coast  during  the  winter  seasons  for  twenty-six  years,  was 
the  first  sportsman  to  catch  the  fish  with  rod  and  reel,  and  is  entitled 
to  all  the  credit  for  the  discovery,  and  inauguration  of  the  Bonefish 
"  industry  "  among  his  brother  anglers. 

I  call  it  an  "industry"  partly  because  a  man  most  assuredly  has 
to  be  very  industrious  if  he  catches  the  fish. 

I  requested  Mr.  McFerran  to  write  out  for  publication  in  my  book 
an  account  of  his  early  experiences  with  the  fish  and  he  kindly  consented 
to  do  so,  and  his  letter  will  close  my  last  chapter.  He  kindly  refers 
to  my,  possibly,  knowing  nearly  as  much  about  the  fish  as  he  does, 
in  which  he  gives  me  too  much  credit,  as  he  has  probably  caught 
many  hundreds,  while  I  have  caught  a  total  of  only  about  forty-five 
during  the  past  five  years.  I,  however,  was  fortunate  to  have  as  guide 
during  one  week  William  Brickie,  who  has  been  his  guide  for  many 
years,  and  I  at  once  was  taught  just  "where,  when,  and  how"  to 
hook,  handle,  and  land  Mr.  Bonefish. 

Miami,  Fi.a.,  January  11,  1902. 
Mr.  W.  H.  Gregg. 

Dear  Sir : 

In  response  to  your  request  regarding  the  Bonefish  of 
the  Florida  East  Coast,  I  beg  to  say  that,  possibly,  I  have  had  as  much  practical 
experience  with  him  as  any  amateur  angler  that  I  know  of,  saving,  possibly,  your- 
self. I  had  been  coming  to  Florida  ten  years  at  least  before  I  knew  there  was 
such  a  fish  in  existence. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  251 

While  cruising  up  the  coast  from  Key  West  to  Miami,  about  ten  years  since,  and 
calling  at  Cocoanut  Grove  to  replenish  supplies,  in  casual  conversation  with  Mr. 
Peacock,  the  proprietor  of  the  store,  about  fishes  in  the  contiguous  waters,  he  men- 
tioned many  with  which  I  was  familiar,  and  asked  me  if  I  had  caught  the  Bonefish. 
I  answered,  "  O,  yes,  plenty  of  them."  His  manner  implied  a  doubt,  and  he  then 
said,  "I  don't  mean  the  Ladyfish,  which  is  often  called  the  Bonefish."  "  O,  well,"  I 
said,  "that  is  what  I  mean.  I  never  heard  of  any  other."  I  then  became  much 
interested ;  he  stepped  to  the  door  and  pointed  to  Cocoa  Plum  Point,  about  two 
miles  away,  and  said,  "There  at  the  flooding  of  the  tide,  close  up  to  the  shore  where 
the  water  will  oftentimes  scarcely  cover  their  backs,  you  will  find  them."  So,  as  it 
was  on  our  return  route,  I  told  my  skipper  we  would  take  the  rowboat  and  call  at 
the  Point,  and  he  could  pick  us  up  as  he  came  down.  We  rowed  to  the  Point,  a 
long  sand  shoal,  with  the  water  from  six  to  ten  inches  deep  and  everything  on  the 
bottom  for  an  acre  around  as  open  to  view  as  the  bare  ground  ashore  was.  I  began 
to  think  he  had  put  up  a  joke  on  us,  deeming  it  the  most  unlikely  place  to  catch  a 
fish  of  any  I  had  almost  ever  seen  ;  however,  I  thought  that  being  there  it  would 
be  best  to  try,  and  so  I  fished  around  for  a  couple  of  hours  with  never  a  sign  of 
fish,  much  less  of  a  strike  ;  but  just  as  I  was  reeling  home  my  line  to  leave  there 
came  along  about  a  half  dozen  of  what  I  thought  at  first  glance  to  be  shadows  in 
the  water,  the  movements  of  which,  I  quickly  detected  as  fish,  were  so  rapid  and 
entirely  unlike  anything  I  had  ever  seen  in  the  way  of  fish  before,  that  I  immedi- 
ately realized  that  I  was  in  front  of  a  distinctly  new  proposition  in  the  piscatorial 
line.  But  the  skipper  and  friends  were  hailing  me  to  the  ship  and  I  reluctantly  left 
the  ground,  with,  however,  the  mental  resolve  that,  living  until  another  season,  I 
would  interview  that  distinguished  individual  at  closer  quarters. 

So  the  following  February  found  me  at  Cocoanut  Grove,  prepared  with  such 
weapons  as  I  supposed  would  suit  the  case.  I  could  hear  of  no  one  who  had 
ever  caught  a  Bonefish  with  rod  and  line,  and  the  natives  said  it  could  not  be  done, 
and  that  the  only  way  they  could  be  taken  was  occasionally  with  the  grains,  and 
sometimes  by  seeking  a  school  on  the  banks  and  wading  stooping  down,  throwing  a 
hand  line  some  distance  in  advance  of  the.  school,  the  hook  baited  with  chonch,  and 
if  they  weramot  alarmed  they  would  come  along  and  take  it;  but  to  go  in  a  boat  and 
cast  with  a  rod,  never,  it  could  not  be  done. 

Well,  I  set  to  work  under  these  discouraging  prognostications.  I  removed  my 
station  from  Plum  Point  to  Bears  Cut,  and  for  three  solid  weeks  I  worked  and  wor- 
ried over  those  fishes.  The  bottom  of  the  flats  was  covered  with  grass  and  the 
feeding  ground  was  very  extensive  ;  I  could  see  them  by  hundreds  almost  in  every 
direction,  but  no  sooner  would  I  get  within  casting  distance  and  the  lead  would 
strike  the  water  near  them,  then  away  they  would  go  like  a  badly  scared  flock  of 
quail ;  and  not  only  the  small  bunch  being  angled  for,  but  every  "mother's  son" 
would  be  off  like  the  wind.  At  last,  about  wearied  out,  I  had  determined  to  give 
it  up  as  a  bad  job,  when  I  discovered  a  space  of  about  an  acre  of  bare  sand  bottom 
adjoining  a  small  channel  which  connected  with  the  main  inlet,  and  beyond  that 
bare  spot,  extending  a  long  distance,  was  a  shallow  bay,  the  bottom  of  which  was 
covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of  grass.  I  said  to  my  boatman,  "  Put  me  on  the  far 
side  of  that  bare  spot,  and  if  we  cannot  catch  one  coming  up  out  of  that  channel 
we  will  give  it  up  and  put  out  for  Key  West."     Well,  we  laid  there  very  quiet  for 


252  WHERE,    WHEN,   AXD   HOW    TO    CATCH  FISH 

about  ten  minutes  with  the  line  out  towards  the  edge  of  the  little  channel,  when  I 
saw  eight  or  ten  of  the  hopefuls  poke  their  noses  over  the  edge  of  the  channel,  and 
within  five  minutes  I  had  my  fish  hooked.  Well,  I  had  been  angling  in  many 
waters,  far  and  near,  salt  and  fresh,  and  caught,  as  I  thought,  about  all  the  fishes 
known  in  this  country,  but  here  was  a  sensation  indeed,  a  new  edition  of  chain 
lightning,  and  that  greased.  I  caught  during  the  remainder  of  that  day  nine  fish, 
and  an  old  hunter  who  has  trailed  his  old  buck  through  the  forest  until  foot-sore 
and  heart-sick,  finally  bringing  him  down  with  a  well-directed  shot,  can  alone  fully 
appreciate  my  feelings. 

Afterwards,  studying  the  fishes  and  their  habits  closely,  I  was  able  to  take  them 
with  little  difficulty.  Four  of  us  caught  in  one  day  sixty-four  (of  course  turning 
loose  all  but  the  few  we  could  eat).  That  constitutes  the  Bonefish  record  with  rod 
and  reel,  and  I  doubt  not  will  stand  as  such  for  many  a  long  year. 

The  fish  is  known  to  comparatively  few  anglers  and  the  books  do  not  allude  to 
him  at  all,  or  have  him  confused  with  the  Ladyfish.  His  habitat  is  very  cir- 
cumscribed in  this  country,  being  confined  mainly  within  the  waters  of  the  East 
Coast  of  Florida  from  Biscayne  Bay  to  Mattecombe  Keys,  occasionally  a  few  as 
far  north  as  Lake  Worth,  and  as  far  south  as  Key  West. 

We  usually,  in  fact  almost  invariably,  fish  for  them  on  extended  areas  of  banks, 
where  at  flood  tide  the  water  is  from  six  to  fifteen  inches  deep.  Their  habit  is  to 
feed  up  on  the  top  of  the  banks  with  the  flood,  falling  back  with  it  into  the  deep 
water.  They  live  solely  upon  the  most  delicate  of  Crustacea,  Perriwinkles,  Crabs, 
Shrimp,  etc.,  and  they  will  not  take  a  stale  bait ;  I  have  tried  them  repeatedly.  I 
have  had  a  seven-pound  fish  run  500  feet  straight  away  without  a  pause,  carrying  in 
addition  to  the  weight  of  the  line  an  ounce  of  lead,  and  they  will  make  repeated 
runs,  usually  never  making  a  flutter  after  being  laid  in  the  boat  ;  they  take  all  the 
chances  and  fight  to  a  finish  everytime  ;  they  are  a  very  stoutly-built  fish  and  every 
line  is  for  speed  ;  their  only  protection  is  their  watchful  timidity  and  speed.  I  am 
sure  that,  unhampered,  nothing  with  fins,  or  scales,  can  catch  them,  unless  it  be  a 
Porpoise.  The  genuine  angler  who  has  not  caught  the  Bonefish  has  a  sure  enough 
sensation  in  prospect,  which  I  envy.  If  the  Bonefish  were  as  large  as  the  Tarpon, 
with  speed  increased  with  the  size,  no  rod  and  reel  that  could  be  used  by  hand 
could  be  manufactured  that  could  make  him  captive.  I  verily  believe  that,  pound 
for  pound,  the  Bonefish  is,  far  and  away,  the  king  of  all  swimmers  ;  and  the  only 
objection  I  can  urge  against  him  is  that  an  experience  with  him  forever  disqualifies 
one  for  all  other  fishing. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA. 

ADDENDA. 


253 


Illustration. 

476 


Page. 

1118 


Robalo ; 
Snook  ; 

Brochet  de  Mer 
Rovalia  ; 
Sergeant-fish. 


CENTROPOMUS    UNDECIMALIS." 

This  fish  is  called  Sergeant-fish  and  Snook  on 
the  East  Coast,  and  usually  Snook  and  Rovalia  on 
the  West  Coast.  He  is  classified  in  Bulletin  47 
among  the  Robalos,  which  number  fourteen  species, 
and  is  not  called  Sergeant-fish  in  that  work  ;  but  is 
called  Snook,  Sergeant-fish,  and  Robalo  in  U.  S.  Commission,  1899, 
by  Evermann  and  Kendall. 

There  is  much  dispute  among  fishermen  on  both  coasts  regarding 
his  correct  name.     Weight  to  15  pounds  or  more. 

He  is  a  very  game  fish.  Caught :  Trolling,  casting,  with  or 
without  sinker,  and  still  fishing.  Will  take  any  bait,  spoon,  or 
phantom.      Not  considered  a  first-class  game  fish.      Edible,  C. 


— -d 


£ 


"ALBULA   VULPES." 

Bulletin  47,  illustration  179,  page  411. 

Common  Names  :   Lady-fish  ;  Bonefish  ;  Macabi  ;  Sanducha  ;  Banana-fish. 


254  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  //OIF   TO   CATC/1  FISH 


pnqffy 


"ELOPS   SAURUS." 

Bulletin  47,  illustration  178,  page  410. 

Common  Names:     Ten-pounder  ;  John-Mariggle  ;  Bony-fish  ;  Big-eyed 

Herring  ;  Matajuelo  Real  ;  Chiro  ;  Lisa  Francesa. 


October  1,  1902. 

MORE     ABOUT     THE     BONEFISH,     LADY- FISH,    ALBULA 
VULPES,  AND    ELOPS    SAURUS    SUBJECT. 

After  an  extended  examination  of  the  works  of  the  United  States 
Fish  Commission,  and  other  books  written  from  an  angling  stand- 
point, I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  I  was  mistaken  in  thinking, 
and  saying  on  pages  248  and  249,  that  the  engraving  of  the  Lady-fish 
and  the  Bonefish  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Keys  had  been  transposed 
in  printing  Bulletin  47;  and  in  saying,  "I  am  satisfied  the  Albula 
Vulpes  is  the  well-known  Lady-fish,  and  the  Elops  Saurus  is  the  less- 
known  Bonefish  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Keys,"  etc. 

When  I  first  visited  the  East  Coast  of  Florida  in  1885,  and  the 
West  Coast  a  few  years  later,  I  saw  and  caught  a  fish  at  many  points 
which  was  called  by  the  market  fishermen,  the  residents,  and  the 
home  and  visiting  anglers,  the  Lady- fish,  Bonefish,  and  Skipjack. 

How  or  why  the  fish  was  called  by  the  names  I  do  not  know,  but 
the  two  latter  can  hardly  be  called  misnomers,  because  they  are  very 
appropriate  and  characteristic  names  for  the  fish,  as  he  certainly  does 
skip  and  jump  more  than  any  fish  I  know  except  the  Ouananische,  and 
is  not  excelled  by  him  in  game  qualities,  and  is  certainly  very  bony. 

Jordan  &  Gilbert  of  theU.  S.  Fish  Commission,  in  1883,  produced 
Bulletin  IB  of  the  U.  S.  National  Museum,  in  which  they  classify 
the  above  fish  in  "Family  Elopidse  (the  Big-eyed  Herrings),"  under 


ON   THE  EAST   COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  255 

species,  "Elops  Saurus."      Common  name:     "Big-eyed  Herring," 
and  not  calling  it  the  Lady-fish. 

Jordan  &  Evermann  of  the  same  commission,  in  1896,  produced 
Bulletin  47  of  the  U.  S.  National  Museum,  in  which  they  classify 
the  fish  in  "Family  Elopidas  (the  Tarpons),"  under  species, 
"Elops  Saurus."  Common  names:  Ten-pounder,  John-Mariggle, 
Bony-fish,  Big-eyed  Herring,  Matajuelo  Real,  Chiro,  Lisa  Francesa. 
The  illustration  is  of  the  Lady-fish  as  known  in  Florida,  but  it  is  not 
called  the  Lady-fish  anywhere  in  the  book. 

Jordan  &  Gilbert,  in  Bulletin  16,  have  "Family  Albulidae  (the 
Lady-fish),"  Species:  "  Albula  Vulpes  ;  common  name,  Lady  fish, 
Bonefish. ' ' 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  in  Bulletin  47,  have  "  Family  Albulidae  (the 
Lady-fishes),"  the  illustration  being  the  Bonefish  of  Biscayne  Bay  and 
the  Keys.  Common  names  :  Lady-fish,  Bonefish,  Macabi,  Sanducha, 
Banana-fish. 

These  citations  show  plainly  the  source  of  the  confusion  which  has 
existed  regarding  the  correct  scientific  and  common  names  of  these 
two  fishes.  The  people  of  Florida  and  the  sportsmen,  who  have  paid 
any  attention  to  the  subject,  thought  their  Lady-fish  was  the  true 
Lady-fish,  so  when  the  scientific  men  mentioned  a  fish  of  that  name 
they  took  it  to  be  the  one  they  had  known  by  the  same  name.  I 
naturally  fell  into  the  same  error,  taking,  so  to  speak,  the  Lady-fish  I 
had  seen  and  caught  as  my  basis  or  "premise"  in  the  discussion. 
The  scientific  people  have  been  right  all  the  time,  and  others  differing 
with  them,  myself  included,  have  been  in  error  all  the  time. 

As  I  desire  to  exhaust  the  subject  as  well  as  I  possibly  can,  and  in 
the  interest  of  my  readers  who  desire  to  read  the  authorities  I  have 
consulted,  I  give  below  quotations  in  full  of  such  authorities,  and  place 
above,  my  caption  to  this  article  the  illustration  (reproduced  from 
Bulletin  47)  of  the  "  Albula  Vulpes, "  the  Lady-fish  and  Bonefish  of  the 
text  books,  and  the  Bonefish  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Keys ;  as  also 
of  the  "Elops  Saurus,"  Ten-pounder,  Big-eyed  Herring,  Bony-fish, 
etc.,  of  the  text  books;  and  the  Lady-fish,  Bonefish,  and  Skipjack  of 
the  sportsmen  and  market  fishermen  of  Florida. 


256  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


GUNTHER'S    STUDY   OF   FISHES,  1880. 


Classified  in  the  Herring  Family. 
Page  660.  No  Illustration.     No  Common  Name. 

"Albula. — Body  oblong,  moderately  compressed  ;  abdomen  flat. 
Scales  of  moderate  size,  adherent ;  lateral  line  distinct.  Eyes  covered 
with  a  broad  annular  adipose  membrane.  Snout  pointed,  the  upper 
jaw  projecting  beyond  the  lower.  Mouth  inferior,  of  moderate  width, 
with  villiform  teeth ;  intermaxillary  juxtaposed  to  the  upper  anterior 
edge  of  the  maxillary.  Dorsal  fin  opposite  to  the  ventrals ;  and  fin 
shorter  than  dorsal.  Gill  membranes  entirely  separate,  with  numerous 
branchiostegals. 

"One  species  only,  A.  conorhynchus,  ranging  over  all  tropical  and 
subtropical  seas,  and  very  common  in  many  localities  near  the  coasts. 
It  grows  to  a  length  of  from  two  to  three  feet,  and  is  not  valued  as 
food." 

Classified  in  the  Herring  Family. 

Same  work,  page  661.    No  Common  Name.     Illustration  of  the  Lady-fish  of  Florida. 

"Elops. — Body  rather  elongate,  moderately  compressed;  abdo- 
men flat.  Scales  small,  adherant;  lateral  line  distinct.  A  narrow 
osseous  lamella,  attached  to  the  mandibulary  symphysis,  covers  the 
part  between  the  mandibles.  Snout  pointed ;  mouth  wide,  anterior  ; 
intermaxillary  short,  maxillary  forming  the  lateral  part  of  the  mouth. 
Bands  of  villiform  teeth  in  the  jaws,  on  the  vomer,  palatine  and 
pterygoid  bones,  on  the  tongue,  and  on  the  base  of  the  skull.  Dorsal 
fin  opposite  to  ventrals;  anal  rather  shorter  than  dorsal.  Gill  mem- 
branes entirely  separate,  with  very  numerous  branchiostegals. 

"Two  species,  of  which  one,  E.  saurus,  is  like  the  preceding 
fish,  spread  over  all  tropical  and  subtropical  seas ;  it  exceeds  a  length 
of  three  feet,  and  is  not  esteemed  as  food." 

Jordan  &  Gilbert's  Bulletin  1G.  United  States  National  Museum, 
1883. 


ON    THE  EAST   COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  257 

"Family  XXXIV— ALBULID^E." 

"(The  Lady-fishes.)" 
Page  258.  No  Illustrations. 

"Body  rather  elongate,  little  compressed,  covered  with  rather 
small,  brilliantly  silvery  scales.  Head  naked.  Snout  conic,  sub- 
quadrangular,  shaped  like  the  snout  of  a  pig,  and  overlapping  the 
small,  inferior,  horizontal  mouth.  Maxillary  rather  strong,  short, 
with  a  distinct  supplemental  bone,  slipping  under  the  membranous 
edge  of  the  very  broad  preorbital.  Premaxillaries  short,  not  pro- 
tractile. Lateral  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  the  maxillaries.  Eye 
large,  medium  in  head,  with  a  bony  ridge  above  it,  and  almost  covered 
by  an  annular  adipose  eyelid.  Opercle  moderate,  firm.  Preopercle 
with  a  broad,  fiat  membranaceous  edge,  which  extends  backward  over 
the  base  of  the  opercle.  Pseudobranchiae  present.  Gill  rakers  short, 
tubercle-like.  Gill  membranes  entirely  separate,  free  from  isthmus. 
Branchiostegals  about  14.  A  fold  of  skin  across  gill  membranes 
anteriorly,  its  posterior  free  edge  crenate.  No  gular  plate.  Both 
jaws,  vomer  and  palatines  with  bands  of  villiform  teeth.  Broad 
patches  of  coarse,  blunt,  paved  teeth  on  the  tongue  behind  and  on  the 
sphenoid  and  pterygoid  bones.  Lateral  line  present.  Belly  not 
carinate,  flattish,  covered  with  ordinary  scales.  Dorsal  fin  moderate, 
in  front  of  ventrals,  its  membranes  scaly.  No  adipose  fin.  Anal 
very  small.  Caudal  widely  forked.  Pyloric  coeca  numerous.  A 
single  species  known,  found  in  all  warm  seas." 

(  ClupeidcE  group,  Allntlina.      Gunther,  VII,  468,  469. ) 

"  n6— ALBULA  Gronovius." 

Same  work,  page  258. 

("Gronovius;  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Ichth.,  1801,  432: 
type,  Albula  conorhynchas.     Bloch  &  Schneider — Esox  vulpes,  L.") 

"  Characters  of  the  genus  included  above.      (Latin  albus,  white.  ) 

"431.     A.   vulpes  (L.).      Goode. —  Lady-fish;  Bonefish. 

' '  Brilliantly  silvery  ;  olivaceous  above  ;  back  and  sides  with  faint 
streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales  ;  fins  plain  ;  axiles  dusky.  Upper 
lobe  of  caudal  the  longer.  A  band  of  peculiar,  elongate,  membra- 
naceous scales  along  middle  line  of  back ;  accessory  ventral  scale 
large.  Head,  3^;  depth,  4.  D.  15;  A.  8;  scales,  9-71-7;  L.  18 
inches.       Cape    Cod    to    Southern    California    and    East     Indies ; 


258  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

abundant  in  tropical  seas.     Not  much  valued  as  food,  but  beautiful 
and  gamy. 

"(Esox  vulpes,  L.  Syst.  Nat.:  Albula  conorhynchus.  Gunther, 
VII,  468.)" 

"Family   XXXVI.  —  ELOPID^." 

"(The  Big-eyed  Herrings.)" 
Same  work,  page  260.  No  Illustration. 

"Body  elongate,  not  much  compressed,  covered  with  cycloid 
scales.  Head  naked.  Mouth  broad,  terminal,  the  lower  jaw  promi- 
nent. Premaxillaries  not  protactile,  short,  the  maxillaries  forming 
the  lateral  margins  of  the  upper  jaw.  Maxillary  composed  of  about 
three  pieces,  extending  backward  beyond  the  eye.  An  elongate  bony 
plate  between  the  branches  of  the  lower  jaw  (like  the  gula  plate  in 
Amid).  Bands  of  villiform  teeth  in  both  jaws  and  on  vomer,  pala- 
tines, pterygoids,  tongue,  and  base  of  skull.  No  large  teeth.  Eye 
large,  with  an  adipose  eyelid.  Gill  membranes  entirely  separate, 
free  from  the  isthmus.  Branchiostegals  numerous  (20-35).  Gill 
rakers  long  and  slender.  Pseudobranchiae  present  or  absent.  Belly 
not  keeled  nor  serrated,  covered  with  ordinary  scales.  Lateral  line 
present.  Dorsal  fin  over  or  rather  behind  ventrals.  Caudal  fin 
forked.  No  adipose  fin.  Pyloric  coeca  numerous.  Two  genera, 
not  much  alike,  with  4  or  5  species,  widely  distributed,  sometimes 
entering  fresh  waters. 

"  (Clupeidce  group,  Elopina.     Gunther,  VII,  469-472.) 

"Body  elongate,  covered  with  small  scales;  anal  fin  smaller  than 
d  o  rsal .      (  Elopince . ) 

"a.     Pseudobranchiae  present, Elops,  118. 

"Body  oblong,  covered  with  long  scales;  anal  fin  larger  than 
dorsal.      (Megalopince. ) 

(t  b.      Pseudobranchias  obsolete,     .      .      .       Megalops,  119." 


"118.     ELOPS,  Linnaeus." 

"(Big-eyed  Herrings.)" 
Same  work,  page  261. 

"  (Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.:    type,  Elops  saurus,  L.)  " 
"Body  elongate,  covered  with  thin,  small,  silvery  scales.     Dorsal 
fin  slightly  behind  ventrals,  its  last  rays  short,  the  fin  depressible  into 


ON  THE  EAST  COAST    OF  FLORIDA.  259 

a  sheath  of  scales  ;  anal  fin  smaller,  similarly  depressible.  Pectorals 
and  ventrals  moderate,  each  with  a  long  accessory  scale.  Opercular 
bones  thin,  with  expanded,  membranaceous  borders  ;  a  scaly  occipital 
sheath  or  collar.  Lateral  line  straight,  its  tubes  simple.  Pseudo- 
branchiae  present,  large.  Species  2  or  more,  widely  distributed, 
remarkable  for  the  development  of  scaly  sheaths.  (Z\o\j/,  name  of 
some  sea  fish  —  a  sword-fish  or  sturgeon ;  from  eAaw,  to  drive  or 
move.)" 

"435.     E.  saurus  L." 
"(Big-eyed  Herrings.)" 
Same  work,  page  261. 

''Uniform  silvery,  darker  above.  Gular  plate  3-4  times  as  broad 
as  long.  Head,  4j^  ;  depth,  5-6.  Eye  large,  4-5  in  head.  D.  20 ; 
A.  13;  V.  15;  B.  30;  scales,  12-120-13.  L.  24  inches.  Cape 
Cod  to  Cape  of  Good  Hope  and  China.  A  handsome  fish,  not  rare 
on  our  Atlantic  coast. 

"(Linn.  Syst.;  Gunther,  VII,  470.)" 


JORDAN  &  EVERMANN  BULLETIN  47.   U.   S.   NATIONAL 
MUSEUM,  1896. 

"Family  LVI.     Elopidae." 

"(The  Tarpons.) " 

"198.     ELOPS,  Linnaeus." 

Page  409. 

"Elops,  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  XII,  518,  1766,  (Saurus). 
Magilomorus,  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  V,  398,  1803,  (anna- 
carolina). 

.  "  Trichonotus,  Rafinesque,  Analyse  de  la  Nature,  1815,  88,  (anna- 
carolina)  ;  substitute  for  Mugilomorus,  considered  objectionable." 

"  Body  elongate,  covered  with  thin,  small,  silvery  scales.  Dorsal 
fin  slightly  behind  ventrals,  its  last  rays  short,  the  fin  depressible  into  a 
sheath  of  scales  ;  anal  fin  smaller,  similarly  depressible  ;  pectorals  and 
ventrals  moderate,  each  with  a  long  accessory  scale.  Opercular  bones 
thin,  with  expanded,  membranaceous  borders;  a  scaly  occipital 
collar.      Lateral    line    straight,    its    tubes   simple.      Pseudobranchue 


260  WHERE,    WHEN,  AXD  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

present,  large.  Vertebra  43  +  29-72.  Large  fishes  of  the  open 
seas,  remarkable  for  the  development  of  scaly  sheaths.  The  young 
are  ribbon-shaped  and  elongate,  passing  through  a  series  of  changes 
like  those  seen  in  Albula.  {l\o\\i,  name  of  some  sea  fish  —  a  swordfish 
or  sturgeon  ;   from  tAaw,  to  drive  or  move.)" 

"671.     ELOPS   SAURUS.     Linnaeus." 

Same  work,  page  410. 

(Ten-pounder  ;  John-Mariggle  ;  Bony-fish  ;  Big-eyed  Herring  ; 
Matajuelo  Real;  Chiro  ;  Lisa  Francesa.) 
The  illustration  is  of  the  Lady-fish  of  Florida. 

"  Head,  4^  ;  depth,  5  to  6  ;  eye  large,  4  to  5.  D.  20 ;  A.  13  ; 
V.  15  ;  B.  30  ;  scales,  12-120-13.  Gular  plate  3  to  4  times  as  long 
as  broad.  Length,  3  feet.  Tropical  seas  ;  abundant  and  very  widely 
distributed.  Common  in  America,  north  to  Carolina  and  the  Gulf 
of  California ;  straying  on  the  Atlantic  coast  to  Long  Island. 
(Saunis,   aavpos,  lizard. ) 

Elops  saurus.  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  XII,  518,  1766,  Carolina. 
Gunther,  Cat.  VII,  470,  1868  ;  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Synopsis  261, 
1883,  and  of  most  authors. 

"Argentina  Carolina.  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  XII,  519,  1766, 
Carolina. 

11  Argentina  machnata.  Forskal,  Descr.  Anim.,  68,  1775,  Djidda, 
Arabia. 

"  Mugilomorus  anna-carolina.  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  V, 
398,  1803,  South  Carolina. 

"Elops  inermis.  Mitchill,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  N.  Y.,  I, 
1815,  445,  New  York. 

11  Elops  capensis.  Smith,  Zool.  S.  Africa,  1845,  pi.  7,  Cape  of 
Good  Hope. 

"  Elops  purpurascens.  Richardson,  Ichth.  China,  311,  1846, 
China." 

"Family   LVII.     Albulidae." 
Same  work,  page  410.  "(The  Lady-fishes.)" 

"Body  rather  elongate,  little  compressed,  covered  with  rather 
small  brilliantly  silvery  scales  ;  head  naked.  Snout  conic,  subquad- 
rangular,  shaped  like  the  snout  of  a  pig,  and  overlapping  the  small, 
inferior,  horizontal  mouth.  Maxillary  rather  strong,  short,  with  a 
distinct  supplemental  bone,  slipping  under  the  membranous  edge  of 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  261 

the  very  broad  preorbital ;  premaxillaries  short,  not  protractile, 
Lateral  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  the  maxillaries ;  both  jaws, 
vomer,  and  palatines  with  bands  of  villiform  teeth  ;  broad  patches  of 
coarse,  blunt,  paved  teeth  on  the  tongue  behind  and  on  the  sphenoid 
and  pterygoid  bones.  Eye  large,  median  in  head,  with  a  bony  ridge 
above  it,  and  almost  covered  with  an  annular  adipose  eyelid.  Oper- 
cle  moderate,  firm  ;  preopercle  with  a  broad,  flat,  membranaceous 
edge,  which  extends  backward  over  the  base  of  the  opercle.  Pseudo- 
branchiae  present.  Gill  rakers  short,  tubercle-like.  Gill  membranes 
entirely  separate,  free  from  the  isthmus,  branchiostegals  about  14  ;  a 
fold  of  skin  across  gill  membranes  anteriorly,  its  posterior  free 
edge  crenate  ;  no  gular  plate.  Lateral  line  present.  Belly  not  cari- 
nate,  fiattish,  covered  with  ordinary  scales.  Dorsal  fin  moderate,  in 
front  of  ventrals,  its  membrane  scaly ;  no  adipose  fin  ;  anal  very 
small ;  caudal  widely  forked.  Pyloric  coeca  numerous.  Parietal 
bones  meeting  along  top  of  head.  Vertebrae  numerous,  42-28-70. 
A  single  species  known,  found  in  all  warm  seas.  In  this,  and  proba- 
bly in  related  families,  the  young  pass  through  a  metamorphosis 
analogous  to  that  seen  in  the  Conger  Eels.  They  are  for  a  time  elon- 
gate, band-shaped,  with  very  small  head  and  loose  transparent  tis- 
sues. From  this  condition  they  become  gradually  shorter  and  more 
compact,  shrinking  from  3  to  3^  inches  in  length  to  2  inches. 
According  to  Dr.  Gilbert,  this  process,  like  that  seen  in  various  eels, 
is  a  normal  one,  through  which  all  individuals  pass.  In  the  Gulf  of 
California,  where  these  fishes  abound,  these  band-shaped  young  are 
often  thrown  by  the  waves  on  the  beach  in  great  masses. 

"  {Culpeidce,  group  Albulina.  Gunther,  Cat.  VII,  468,  469, 
1868.)" 

"  199.     ALBULA   (Gronow).     Bloch  &  Schneider." 

"(Lady-fishes.)" 
Same  work,  page  411. 

"  Conorhyncus.  Nozeman,  Act.  Select.,  Ill,  382,  1757  (nonbi- 
nomial). 

"  Albula.     Gronow,  Zoophyl.,  102,   763   (nonbinomial). 

"A/fat/a.  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Icth.,  432,  1801  (conorhyn- 
cus-vulpes). 

il  Bitty rinas.  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss. ,  V,  45,  1803  (banana- 
vulpes). 


262  WHERE,    WHEN,  AXD  HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

"  Glossodus.  Cuvier,  in  Agassiz,  Spix,  Pise.  Bras.,  48,  1829 
{forskala-vulpes) . 

"  Characters  of  the  genus  included  above.      (Latin  albus,  white.)" 

"672.     ALBULA  VULPES.    (Linnaeus.)" 

"(Lady-fish;  Bone-fish  ;  Macabi  ;  Sanducha  ;  Banana-fish.)" 
The  illustration  is  of  the  Bone-fish  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Keys. 
Same  work,  pages  411,  412. 

"Head,  3-><  ;  depth,  4.  D.  15  ;  A.  8  ;  scales,  9-71-7.  Upper 
lobe  of  caudal  the  longer.  A  broad  band  of  peculiar,  elongate,  membra- 
naceous scales  along  middle  line  of  back  ;  accessory  ventral  scale  large. 
Brilliantly  silvery  ;  olivaceous  above  ;  back  and  sides  with  faint  streaks 
along  the  rows  of  scales  ;  fins  plain  ;  axils  dusky.  Length,  18  inches 
to  3  feet.  Tropical  seas,  on  sandy  coasts,  almost  universally  distributed 
and  generally  abundant,  ranging  northward  on  our  coasts  to  San  Diego 
and  Long  Island.  A  beautiful  and  active  fish,  in  most  places  little 
valued  as  food  ;  but  in  some  regions,  as  Key  West,  highly  appreciated. ' ' 
(  Vulpes,  fox. ) 

"  Unbarana.     Marograve,  Hist.  Bras,  1648,  Brazil. 

"  Vulpes  bahamensis  (the  Bone-fish).      Catesby,  Nat.  Hist. 

"  Carolinas,  etc.,  pi.  11,  fig.  I,  1737,  Bahamas. 

"  Esox  vulpes.  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  Ed.  X,  1758,  313,  Bahamas  ; 
based  on  the  Bone-fish,  Vulpes  baliamensis,  of  Catesby. 

"  Argentina  glossodonta.  Forskal,  Descr.  Anim.,  68,  1775, 
Djidda,  Arabia. 

"Macabi.  Parra,  Dif.  PiezasCuba,  88,  pi.  35,  fig.  I,  1787,  Cuba; 
based  on  Unbarana  of  Marcgrave. 

"  Sy  nodus  argenteus.  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Icth.,  398,  1801, 
Asia. 

"  Clupea  brasiliensis.  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Icth,  427,  1801, 
Brazil. 

"  Albula  conorynchus.  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Icth.,  432, 
1801,  Antilles;  after  Gronow  and  Plumier  ;  called  Albula  plumieri  on 
plate  86. 

"  Amia  immaculata.  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Icth.,  451,  1801, 
Central  America  ;  after  Macabi  of  Parra. 

Butyrinus  banana.  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  V,  46,  1803, 
Isle  de  France. 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  263 

"  Clupea  macrocephala.  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  V.  426, 
1803,  Martinique  ;  on  a  drawing  by  Plumier. 

"  Glossodus  forskali.  Agassiz,  Spix.  Pise.  Bras.  49,  1829,  Bahia  ; 
called  Engraulis  sericus  and  Engraulis  bahiensis  on  the  plates  22 
and  24. 

"  Albula parroe.  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIX, 
339,  1846,  Martinique  ;  Bahia ;  Rio  de  Janeiro. 

"  Albula  goreensis.  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss., 
XIX,  342,  1846,  Gorea. 

"  Albula  neoguinaica.  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  1.  c,  XIX,  350, 
1846,  New  Guinea. 

"  Albula  seminuda.  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  1.  c,  XIX,  351, 
1846,  New  Guinea. 

"Albula  erythrocheilos.  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  1.  c,  XIX, 
352,  pi.  540,  1846,  Friendly  Islands. 

"Albula  forsteri.  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  1.  c,  XIX,  354, 
1846,  Tahiti. 

"Albula  rostrata.  Gronow,  Cat.  Fishes,  189,  1854,  American 
Ocean,  etc. 

"Albula  conorhynchus.     Gunther,  Cat.  VII,  468,  1868. 

"Albula  vulpes.     Jordan  &  Gilbert,  Synopsis  258,  1883. 

G.  BROWN   GOODE;    AMERICAN  FISHES.     1887. 

Page  410.  No  Illustrations. 

Under  heading  of  the  Herring  and  its  allies,  Mr.  Goode  says  : 
"The  Lady-fish,  Albula  vulpes,  occurs  in  the  West  Indies,  in  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  on  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  coasts  of  North  and  South 
America,  and  sparingly  along  our  Atlantic  shores  as  far  north  as  Cape 
Cod.  It  is  also  found  about  the  Bermudas  and  Cape  Verde  Islands, 
in  the  Indian  Ocean,  the  Red  Sea,  and  on  the  coast  of  Japan.  With 
us  it  is  usually  called  the  '  Lady-fish  ' ;  in  the  Bermudas  the  'Bone- 
fish,'  or  '  Grubber.' 

"At  the  Bermudas  large  schools  are  taken,  and  it  is  there  con- 
sidered a  most  excellent  food  fish.  From  personal  observation  I  can 
testify  that  its  reputation  is  by  no  means  a  false  one. 

"  Henshall  found  it  in  the  Indian  River  inlet,  and  gives  it  a  fine 
character  as  a  game-fish.  Describing  winter  angling  experiences,  he 
writes  :      '  In  the  course  of  an  hour,  and  in  quick  succession,  I  took 


264  WHERE,    WHEN,  AXD   HO  IV   TO   CATCH  FISH 

several  more  salt-water  trout,  a  few  red  fishes  or  channel  bass,  some 
ravallia  or  snooks  of  from  three  to  ten  pounds,  some  crevalle  of  three 
or  four,  and,  finally,  a  Bone-fish  of  about  three  pounds,  which  gave 
more  real  sport  than  any  of  the  others.  The  Bone-fish  or  Lady-fish, 
as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is  a  slender,  silvery  fish,  and  fights  in  the 
water  and  in  the  air  like  the  black  bass,  but  mostly  in  the  air  —  Sil- 
ver Shuttle.' 

"  The  species  is  found  in  some  numbers  in  San  Diego  Bay,  on  the 
coast  of  California,  where  it  is  taken  with  the  mullet.  On  account  of 
its  beautiful  color,  it  sells  readily,  but  is  not  especially  esteemed  as 
a  tables  fish." 

NOTE  BY  GREGG. 
Goode  and  Henshall  here  must  refer  to  the  Lady-fish  of  the  Florida  fishermen. 
Henshall  says  it  is  a  "  slender  fish,"  which  the  Bone-fish  of  Biscayne  Bay  is  not. 
Only  one  or  two  "stragglers"  of  the  latter  have  been  taken  at  Indian  River  Inlet, 
and  they  do  not  "  fight  in  the  air,"  but  keep  under  water.  They  had  not  been  taken 
with  rod  and  reel  when  Hensall  wrote  above,  and  they  do  not  range  to  Cape  Cod, 
except  as  occasional  stragglers. 

U.  S.   FISH    COMMISSION   REPORT   OF   1895. 

Jordan  &  Evermann's  Check  List  of  Fishes  of  North  and  Middle 
America. 

"  Genus  199.     Elops  Linnaeus." 
Page  279.      No  illustration. 

" Elops.     Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  ed.  XII,  518,  1766  (sai/rus). 

"687.  Elops  saunis,  Linnaeus.  Ten-pounder;  John-Mariggle  ; 
Bony-fish ;  Bone-fish ;  Big-eyed  Herring ;  Matajuelo  Real ;  Lina 
Francesa.  Tropical  seas  ;  common  north  to  the  Gulf  of  California 
and  to  Long  Island  on  the  Atlantic  Coast. 

"  Elops  saurus.  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  ed.  XII,  518,  1766,  Car- 
olina." 

"Family  LVII.     Albulidse." 
"(The  Lady-fishes.)" 
Same  work,  page  280.     No  illustration. 

"Genus  200.  Albula  (Gronow).  Bloch  &  Schneider.  Albula 
Gronow,  Zoophyl.,  162,  1763  (nonbinomial)." 

"688.  Albula  vulpes  (Linnaeus).  Lady-fish;  Bone-fish;  Ma- 
cabi  ;   Banana-fish. 


ON    THE  EAST   COAST   OF  FLORIDA.  265 

"  Tropical  seas,  ranging  northward  to  San  Diego  and  Long  Island. 
Esox  vulpes.  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.,  ed.  X,  313,  1758,  Bahamas,  etc.; 
based  on  the  bone-fish,   Vulpes  bahamensis,  of  Catesby." 


W.  F.  McCormick's  List  of  fishes  in  Biscayne  Bay. 
Same  work,  page  175.     No  illustration. 

"  Bone-fish  (Albula  vulpes)." 

U.   S.   FISH    COMMISSION   REPORT    OF    1896. 

"Annotated  List  of  the  Fishes  known  from  Indian  River." 
Page  240.     No  illustration. 

"  Elops  saurus,  Linnaeus.  Big-eyed  Herring,  Ten-pounder, 
'Bony-fish.'  Observed  at  Fort  Pierce  and  at  mouth  of  St.  Lucie 
River.  Known  to  some  of  the  fishermen  as  'Lady-fish.'  Fre- 
quently taken  in  the  seines.  Examples  from  Fort  Pierce  preserved." 
Albula  vulpes  not  in  the  list. 

"Fisheries  of  the  Coastal  Waters  of  Florida,  by  John  J.  Brice." 
Same  work,  page  285.     No  illustration. 

"  There  are  many  other  species  of  fishes  found  at  Key  West  which 
are  used  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  as  food.  Among  them  are  the 
bonefish  {Albula  vulpes),  ten-pounder  (Elops saurus)." 

U.    S.    FISH    COMMISSION   BULLETIN,    1897. 

Page  90.  No  Illustration. 

Annotated  List  of  Fishes  known  to  inhabit  the  Woods  Hole  Region, 
by  Hugh  M.  Smith. 

"32.     Elops  Saurus,  Linnaeus." 
"(Ten-pounder  ;  Big-eyed  Herring.)" 
"Common  in  fall,   none  appearing   before    October.     Taken  in 
traps  in  Vineyard  Sound  and  in  Herring  gill  nets  at  Vineyard  Haven. 
Many  have  been  sent  to  the  Fish  Commission  by  fishermen  for  identi- 
fication.     Average  length  18  to  20  inches.      No  young  fish  observed. ' ' 


266  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW    TO   CATCH  FISH 

Same  work,  page  91.  No  Illustration. 

SAME    LIST    BY    HUGH    M.    SMITH. 

"  Albula  vulpes   (Linnaeus)." 
"(Lady-fish;  Bonefish.)" 
"Very  rare.     Reported   by  Professor  Baird  in  1871,  and  since 
observed  only  once  or  twice.     None  seen  for  many  years." 

U.    S.    FISH    COMMISSION   REPORT,    1899. 

Page  54.  No  Illustration. 

"  Check  List  of  the  Fishes  of  Florida,  Evermann  &  Kendall." 

"  84.     Elops  Saurus  (Linnaeus)." 

"(Ten-pounder.)" 

Cape  Cod  to  Florida  (Holbrook,  1860);  St.  Johns  River  (Bean, 
1880);  Pensacola  (Jordan  &  Gilbert,  1882;  and  Bean,  1883);  Key 
West  (Jordan,  1884a);  Florida  Keys  (Jordan,  1884d);  Tampa  Bay  to 
Punta  Rassa,  and  Little  Sarasota  Bay  (Wilcox,  1886);  Marco 
(Henshall,  1889),  Key  West  and  Tampa  (Henshall,  1894);  and  St. 
Johns  River  at  Welaka  (Kendall  Coll.,  1897)." 

"85.    Albula  Vulpes  (Linnaeus)." 

"(Lady-fish  ;  Bone-fish.)" 
Same  work,  page  55.  No  Illustration. 

"Pensacola  (Stearns  Coll.,  Bean,  1883);  Key  West  (Jordan, 
1884a;  and  Jordan  &  Evermann,  1896);  Florida  Keys  (Jordan, 
1884d);  Garden  Key  (Grampus  Coll.,  Kendall,  1889);  Key  West, 
Pavilion  Key,  and  San  Carlos  Pass  (Henshall,  1889);  New  Smyrna 
(Lonnberg,  1894);  Key  West  and  Tampa  (Henshall,  1894);  and 
Biscay ne  Bay  (McCormick  Coll.,  Smith,  1895.)" 

FISHERIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   U.  S.  FISH  COMMISSION,  1900. 

B.    W.    EVERMANN. 
Page  81. 

The. illustration  is  of  the  Lady-fish  or  Bone-fish  of  the  Florida 
fisherman  and  sportsman. 

"GENUS   20.     Elops,  Linnaeus." 
"  Body  elongate,  covered  with  thin,  small,  silvery  scales.      Dorsal 
fin  slightly  behind  ventrals,   its  last  rays  short,  the  fin  depressible  ; 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  267 

into  a  sheath  of  scales ;  anal  fin  smaller,  similarly  depressible ; 
pectorals  and  ventrals  moderate,  each  with  a  long  accessory  scale. 
Opercular  bones  thin,  with  expanded  membranaceous  borders  ;  scaly 
occipital  collar.  Lateral  line  straight,  its  tubes  simple.  Pseudo- 
branchiae  present,  large.     Vertebrae,  43-29-72. 

"  Large  fishes  of  the  open  seas,  remarkable  for  the  development 
of  scaly  sheaths.  The  young  are  ribbon-shaped  and  elongate,  passing 
through  a  series  of  changes  like  those  seen  in  All>ula." 

"25.     Elops  saurus,  Linnaeus." 

"'Piojo';  Matajuelo  Real;  Chiro  ;  Lisa   Francesa  ;  Ten-pounder  ; 
John-Mariggle  ;  Bony-fish  ;  Big-eyed  Herring." 

"  Head,  4.3  ;  depth,  5  to  6  ;  eye,  5  ;  snout,  4.3  ;  maxillary,  1.6  ; 
mandible,  1.5;  interorbital,  5.6;  D.  20;  A.  13;  pectoral,  1.8; 
ventral,  2;  caudal,  0.8;  scales,  13-110-12.  Body  very  elongate, 
moderately  ccmpressed,  scales  small  and  thin,  none  on  head ;  head 
small,  pointed  ;  mouth  very  large,  the  extremely  long  maxillary  reach- 
ing far  beyond  eye,  which  has  a  well-developed  adipose  eyelid, 
sheathing  the  eye  anteriorly  and  posteriorly  ;  rather  blunt,  villiform 
teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines  and  along  lower  edge  of  maxil- 
lary ;  jaws  subequal ;  a  pointed  gular  plate  ;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  with 
well -developed  basal  sheaths  of  scales,  that  of  dorsal  large  ;  ventral 
with  a  very  large  and  pointed  scale ;  caudal  lobes  long  and  slender. 
Blue  above,  the  sides  silvery. 

"This  species  is  abundant  and  widely  distributed  in  the  tropical 
seas.  It  is  common  in  America  north  to  the  Carolinas  and  the  Gulf  of 
California.  Probably  not  uncommon  about  Porto  Rico,  though  seen  by 
us  only  at  Arecibo,  where  a  species  15  inches  long  was  obtained." 

"  Elops  saurus.  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Nat.  ed.  XII,  518,  1766,  Carolina  ; 
Jordan  &  Evermann,  I.  C,  410,  1896. 

"Argentina  Carolina.  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Gat.  ed.  XII,  519,  1766, 
Carolina. 

"Argentina  machnata.  Forskal,  Deser.  Anim.,  68,  1775,  Djidda, 
Arabia. 

"  Mugilomorus  anna-carolina.  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  V, 
398,  1803,  South  Carolina. 

"Elops  incermis.  Mitchill,  Trans.  Lit.  and  Phil.  Soc.  N.  Y.,  I, 
1815,  445,  New  York. 


268  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

"  Elops  capensis.  Smith,  Zool.  South  Africa,  1845,  pi.  7,  Cape 
of  Good  Hope. 

"Elops  perpurascens.       Richardson,    Icth.,    China,    311,    1840, 

China." 

"Family  XVI.     ALBULID^E." 

"(The  Lady-fishes.)" 
Pages  81-83. 

The  illustration  is  of  Bone- fish  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Keys. 

"  Body  rather  elongate,  little  compressed,  covered  with  rather 
small,  brilliantly  silvery  scales  ;  head  naked.  Snout  conic,  subquad- 
rangular,  shaped  like  the  snout  of  a  pig,  and  overlapping  the  small, 
inferior,  horizontal  mouth.  Maxillary  rather  strong,  short,  with  a 
distinct  supplemental  bone,  slipping  under  the  membranaceous  edge 
of  the  very  broad  preorbital ;  premaxillaries  short,  not  protractile. 
Lateral  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  maxillaries  ;  both  jaws,  vomer, 
and  palatines  with  bands  of  villiform  teeth  ;  broad  patches  of  coarse, 
blunt,  paved  teeth  on  the  tongue  behind  and  on  the  sphenoid  and 
pterygoid  bones.  Eye  large,  medium  in  head,  with  a  bony  ridge 
over  it,  and  almost  covered  with  an  annular  adipose  eyelid.  Opercle 
moderate,  firm  ;  preopercle  with  a  broad,  flat,  membranaceous  edge, 
which  extends  backward  over  the  base  of  opercle.  Pseudobranchia; 
present.  Gill  rakers  short,  tubercle-like.  Gill  membranes  entirely 
separate,  free  from  isthmus  ;  branchiostegals  about  14  ;  a  fold  of  skin 
across  gill  membranes  anteriorly,  its  posterior  free  edge  cretiate  ;  no 
gular  plate.  Lateral  line  present.  Belly  not  carinate,  flattish,  cov- 
ered with  ordinary  scales.  Dorsal  fin  moderate,  in  front  of  ventrals, 
its  membranes  scaly;  no  adipose  fin;  and  very  small  caudal  widely 
forked.  Pyloric  coeca  numerous.  Parietal  bones  meeting  along  top 
of  head.     Vertebrae  numerous,  42-28-70. 

"  A  single  species  known,  found  in  all  warm  seas.  In  this,  and 
probably  in  related  families,  the  young  pass  through  a  metamorphosis 
analogous  to  that  seen  in  the  Conger  Eels.  They  are  for  a  time  elon- 
gate, band-shaped,  with  very  small  head  and  loose,  transparent  tis- 
sues. From  this  condition  they  become  gradually  shorter,  shrinking 
from  3  to  3}4  inches  in  length  to  2  inches.  According  to  Dr.  Gil- 
bert, this  process,  like  that  seen  in  various  eels,  is  a  normal  one, 
through  which  all  individuals  pass.  In  the  Gulf  of  California,  where 
these  fishes  abound,  these  band-shaped  young  are  often  thrown  by  the 
waves  on  the  beach  in  great  masses." 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  269 

"Genus  21.     ALBULA  (Gronow).     Bloch  &  Schneider." 
"The  characters  of  this  genus  are  included  above  with  those  of 
the  family." 

"26.     Albula  vulpes  (Linnaeus)." 
"Macabi";  "Piojo";  Lady-fish  ;  Bone-fish  ;  Banana-fish. 
"Head,   3.4;    depth,  4.5;    eye,   7;    snout,  2.2;    maxillary,    3 
interorbital,    3.8;     preorbital,    5.6;    D.    15;    A.   8;    pectoral,   1.9 
ventral,  2.4;  caudal,  1.1;   scales,  9-70-6.     Body  elongate,  robust 
the  trunk  covered  with  long  shining  scales  with  membranous  edges 
head  large,   naked,  subconic ;    the   snout    pig-like,   overhanging  the 
inferior  mouth,   which  is  armed  with  villiform  teeth  ;    eye   high   in 
position,  midway  between  tip  of  snout  and  edge  of  opercle,  entirely 
covered,  save  for  a  circular  central  opening  smaller  than  pupil,  with 
an    adipose    eyelid ;    vertical  fins   scaled,  the  dorsal   and   anal  very 
densely  ;  caudal  widely  forked,  upper  lobe  the  longer ;    median  line 
of  back  with  one  series  of  modified  scales,  which  are  smaller  and 
narrower  than  those  of  body  and  have  a  long  membranous  appendage 
much  narrower  than  the  scale,  this  appendage  alone  exposed.      Color 
bright-silvery,  darker  above  ;  faint  longitudinal  dark  or  bluish  streaks. 
A  metamorphosis  (as  in  Elops~)  takes  place  in  the  young,  previous  to 
which  they  do  not  resemble  the  adult. 

"Tropical  seas,  on  sandy  coasts,  almost  universally  distributed 
and  generally  abundant,  ranging  northward  on  our  coasts  to  San 
Diego  and  Massachusetts.  Three  examples  in  the  collection,  one  19 
inches  long,  the  others  about  12  inches,  from  San  Juan  market  and 
Culebra  Island.  Used  as  food  to  some  extent,  but  not  highly 
esteemed. ' ' 

"  Umbarana.     Maregrave,  Hist.  Bras.,  1648,  Brazil. 

"  Vulpes  bahamanesis  (the  bone-fish).  Catesby,  Nat.  Hist.  Caro- 
linas,  pi.  11,  fig.  1,  1737,  Bahamas. 

"  Esox  vulpes.  Linnasus,  Syst.  Nat.,  ed.  X,  1758,  313,  Bahamas  ; 
after  Catesby. 

"Argentina  glossodontct.  Forskal,  Descr.  Anim.,  68,  1775, 
Djidda,  Arabia. 

"  Macabi.  Parra,  Dif.  Piezas,  Cuba,  88,  pi.  35,  fig.  1,  1787, 
Cuba  ;  on  Umbarana  of  Maregrave. 

"  Synodus  argenteus.  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Icth.,  398,  1801, 
Asia. 


270  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

"  Clupea  brasiliensis.  Block  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Icth.,  427,  1801. 
Brazil. 

" Albula  conorhynchus .  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Icth.,  432, 
1801,  Antilles;  after  Gronow  and  Plumier,  Poey,  Fauna  Puerto 
Riquena,  .342,  1881  j  Stahl,  I,  c,  80  and  165,  1883. 

" Amia  immaculata.  Bloch  &  Schneider,  Syst.  Icth.,  451,  1801, 
Central  America  ;  after  Parra. 

"  Butyrinus  banana.  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  V,  46,  1803, 
Isle  de  France. 

"  Clupea  macrocephala.  Lacepede,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  V,  426, 
1803,  Martinique  ;  on  a  drawing  by  Plumier. 

"  Glossodus  forskali.  Agassiz,  Spix.  Pise.  Bras.,  49,  1829,  Bahia  ; 
called  Engraulis  sericus  and  Engraulis  bahiensis  on  the  plates  22 
and  24. 

"  Albula  parrce.  Cuvier  &  Valencienness,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss.,  XIX, 
339,  1846,  Martinique,  Bahia,  Rio  de  Janeiro. 

"  Albula  goreetisis.  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  Hist.  Nat.  Poiss., 
XIX,  342,  1846,  Gorea. 

"Albula  ncoguinaica.  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  1.  c,  XIX,  350, 
1846,  New  Guinea. 

"Albula  seminuda.  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  1.  c,  XIX,  351, 
1846,  New  Guinea. 

"Albula  erythrocheilos.  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  1.  c,  XIX,  352, 
pi.  540,  1846,  Friendly  Islands. 

"Albula  forsteri.  Cuvier  &  Valenciennes,  1.  c,  XIX,  354, 
1846,  Tahiti. 

"Albula  rostrata.  Gronow,  Cat.  Fishes,  189,  1854,  American 
Ocean,  etc. 

"Albula  vulpes.     Jordan  &  Evermann,  1.  c,  411,  1896." 

THE    FISHES    OF    NORTH    AMERICA.      WILLIAM 
C.    HARRIS,    1898. 

Volume  1.      Pages  91,  92,  93. 

"THE   BONEFISH   OR   LADYFISH." 
"An  earnest  discussion  has  recently  taken  place  among  anglers  as 
to  the  proper  classification  of  the  so-called  bonefish  or  ladyfish,  par- 
ticularly the  one  taken,   most  frequently,  in  Biscayne  Bay,  Florida. 


ON    THE  EAST   COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  271 

This  perplexity  is  caused,  in  part,  by  the  existence  and  general  use 
of  the  same  common  or  popular  name  for  two  widely  differentiated 
fish.  I  have  passed  many  winters  in  Florida,  and  have,  doubtless, 
caught  more  than  a  thousand  of  the  so-called  '  ladyfish  or  bonefish,' 
and  in  1895,  my  companion,  Mr.  J.  L.  Petrie,  the  artist,  painted  a 
portrait  of  one,  in  oils,  before  its  life  colors  had  faded,  on  examina- 
tion of  which  it  was  plain  to  see  that  it  was  not  the  true  bonefish, 
Albala  vulpes,  although  so  called  on  both  coasts  of  Florida.  It  was 
a  full  brother  of  the  tarpon  —  a  big-eyed  herring,  Elops  saurus,  a 
fish  that  has  many  of  the  physical  markings  of  the  silver  king,  and 
some  of  its  game  qualities  when  restrained  by  the  rod.  That  the 
angler  may,  on  sight,  distingush  one  from  the  other,  illustrations  of 
both  are  given.  Upon  examination  of  a  captured  fish,  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  true  bonefish,  A.  vulpes,  has  fifteen  rays  in  the  dorsal 
fin  and  eight  in  the  anal,  and  the  ladyfish,  or  more  properly  the  big- 
eyed  herring,  E.  saurus,  has  twenty  rays  in  the  dorsal  and  thirteen  in 
the  anal  fin.  The  first-named  fish  is  much  stouter  in  build,  has  large 
scales  and  is  brilliantly  silvery  in  color,  shading  into  olive  on  the 
back,  with  faint  streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales.  The  big-eyed  her- 
ring has  much  smaller  scales,  is  also  of  a  bright  silvery  coloration, 
but  in  lieu  of  the  olivaceous  shading  above  the  lateral  line  and  on  the 
back,  which  occurs  in  the  true  bonefish,  there  is  a  distinct,  but  soft, 
bluish  coloration  extending  from  the  shoulder  to  the  fleshy  part  of 
the  tail. 

"It  is  difficult  to  ascertain  from  the  articles  appearing  from  time 
time  in  the  sportsman's  journals,  on  the  capture  of  the  ladyfish  or 
bonefish,  which  of  these  two  fishes  the  writers  are  describing,  but  in 
most  instances  they  doubtless  refer  to  the  big-eyed  herring,  as  the 
frantic  leaps  of  the  fish  are  described  in  glowing  terms.  The  Hon. 
Matthew  S.  Quay  wrote  me  in  1882:  'The  bonyfish  —  I  took  two 
of  them,  two  feet  in  length,  each,  on  a  spinner  at  Jupiter  and  one  at 
Punta  Rassa.  They  resemble  the  herring,  except  they  are  narrower 
in  proportion  to  their  length.  When  hooked,  they  are  as  frantic  in 
their  leaps  as  the  tarpon.' 

"These  fish  were  certainly  the  big-eyed  herring,  E.  saurus.  The 
true  bonefish  does  not  leap  from  the  water  when  under  the  restraint 
of  the  line. 

"The  bonefish  or  ladyfish,  Albula  vulpes — generic  name  from 
the   Latin,    'white';    the    specific,    also    Latin,    meaning    'fox' — is 


272  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO    CATCH  FISH 

classed  in  the  order  Isospondyli — from  two  Greek  words  signifying 
'equal,'  'vertebra.'  In  this  order  we  find  many  other  fishes  that 
are  taken  on  hook  and  line  —  the  salmons,  trouts,  graylings,  moon- 
eyes, tarpons,  herrings,  shad,  smelt,  whitefishes  (cisco),  pike, 
pickerel  and  mascalonge.  The  fishes  of  this  order  are  characterized 
by  the  soft  rays  in  their  fins  ;  presence  of  a  flat  bone  on  the  upper 
side  of  the  head  ;  an  arch  of  bone  in  front  of  the  shoulder ;  absence 
of  bones  in  the  ear  formation,  and  the  bones  in  the  mouth  and  in 
front  of  the  sesophagus  are  not  shaped  like  a  scythe,  as  in  the  fishes 
previously  described. 

"The  true  bonefish  (Albi/la  vulpes)  is  the  only  representative  of 
the  family  Albulida.  Its  range  is  stated  in  the  text-books  to  be  from 
Cape  Cod  southward  to  the  warm  seas,  but  it  has  occurred  to  me  that 
the  confusion  arising  from  a  similarity  of  popular  names,  alluded  to 
above,  might  possibly  have  led  to  error  as  to  range  of  habitat  of  this 
fish.  I  have  examined  a  specimen  of  the  big-eyed  herring,  wrongly 
called  ladyfish,  that  was  caught  on  a  hook  in  the  waters  of  Princes 
Bay,  Staten  Island,  but  in  my  familiar  personal  and  editorial  inter- 
course, extending  over  a  quarter  of  a  century,  with  the  salt-water 
fishermen  of  New  York  City,  ten  thousand  of  whom  go  a-fishing  every 
week  of  the  season,  I  have  never  heard  of  A.  vulpes  being  taken  by 
any  of  these  rodsters.  But  negative  proof  is  no  proof  at  all,  even 
when  reinforced  by  the  fact  that  no  angling  record  exists  of  the  true 
bonefish  being  caught  on  the  hook  in  any  waters  north  of  Biscayne 
Bay,  Florida,  a  circumstance  which  is  unusual  when  we  consider  that 
the  east  and  west  coasts  of  that  State  are  annually  visited  by  thousands 
of  eager,  intelligent  and  observant  anglers,  a  few  only  of  whom  have 
caught  this  fish,  and  only  in  Biscayne  Bay.  They  at  once  classed  it 
as  the  fiercest  fighter  for  its  size  in  southern  seas,  and  in  this  connec- 
tion it  must  be  noticed  that  the  presence  of  game  qualities  in  a  fish  is 
an  assurance  that  its  habits,  habitat  and  physical  markings  will  be 
studied  by  the  angler  who  catches  it,  particularly  when  the  fish  is  the 
first  of  its  species  that  has  fallen  to  his  rod.  With  this  fact  before 
me,  I  am  impelled  to  question  the  accuracy  of  the  recorded  northern 
range  of  the  bonefish. 

"But  little  is  known  of  the  angling  traits  of  A.  vulpes,  although 
for  several  years  past  there  has  been  great  interest  shown  by  anglers, 
in  Florida,  as  to  its  fighting  qualities  and  habitat.  In  the  winter  of 
'94-' 95,  a  large  number  of  enthusiastic  anglers  gathered  at  Naples  on 


ON    THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  273 

the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  none  of  them  had  any  personal  knowledge 
of  this  much-talked-about  fish.  It  seems  to  have  fallen  to  the  good 
fortune  of  an  intelligent  and  observant,  but  anonymous,  writer  to 
herald  its  superiority  as  a  game  fish.      He  wrote  : 

"  '  For  the  past  two  winters,  skillful  fishermen  among  the  North- 
ern tourists,  whom  I  knew  personally  or  by  reputation  among  mutual 
acquaintances,  have  been  reporting  with  enthusiasm  the  discovery  in 
Biscayne  Bay  of  a  new  game-fish  which  is  to  surpass  all  the  other 
ministers  to  piscatorial  amusements.  Some  went  so  far  as  to  say  that 
the  Tarpon  is  superseded  as  the  king  of  fish  ;  as  expressed  by  one  of 
them,  who  kills  annually  more  than  fifty  tarpon,  '  the  tarpon  is  not 
in  it.' 

"  Being  inflamed  by  this  story  of  the  '  new  planet  which  swims 
within  our  ken,'  I  took  a  day  at  Biscayne  Bay,  returning  to-night 
with  three  of  the  fish. 

"The  Bone-fish  is  new  to  me,  and,  so  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  is 
taken  only  in  Florida,  at  Biscayne  Bay  and  probably  southward, 
though  as  to  this  I  have  no  information.  A  guide  did  tell  me  that 
it  is  abundant  in  Cuba,  where  it  is  called  what  he  pronounced  leetha, 
or  '  the  swift. ' 

"The  three  specimens  taken  by  my  friend  and  myself,  weighed 
(by  estimations)  six,  five,  and  four  pounds  respectively.  The  bait  is 
surf-bugs  or  sand-fleas,  such  as  are  used  occasionally  on  the  Jersey 
coast  for  sheepshead  when  that  capricious  fish  declines  his  ordinary 
diet.  They  are  taken  in  the  same  manner  as  there,  by  a  scoop  or 
net,  or  digging  with  the  fingers,  when  the  breaker  recedes. 

"The  cast  —  two  hooks,  No.  7  O'Shaughnessy,  above  a  small 
sinker  and  one  foot  apart  — is  made  seventy  feet  or  more  from  the 
boat,  along  a  sandbar,  on  the  rising  tide.  Three  inches  of  water  on 
the  top  of  the  bar  are  preferable,  but  the  day  I  was  fishing  was  at  the 
tail  end  of  a  '  norther,'  and  I  had  to  fish  the  shallow  channels  next 
the  bar  in  three  or  four  feet  of  water.  The  strike  is  a  slow  nibble  or 
mumble,  and  it  requires  quickness  and  discretion  to  hook  the  fish. 
But  when  he  is  hooked,  which  is  by  a  sudden  slight  motion  of  the 
wrist,  the  aspect  of  the  contest  changes  from  apathy  to  fierce  activity. 
There  is  a  lightning-like  run  of  perhaps  one  hundred  yards,  then  a 
return  nearly  to  the  boat,  then  an  equally  extensive  run  which  cannot 
be  checked,  and  then  zigzag  rushes  and  flourishes  here,  there,  and 
everywhere  until  the  fish  is  exhausted,  and  finally  lifted  into  the  boat 


274  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  II OW   TO   CATCH  FISH 

by  the  line  —  no  gaffing  or  other  ceremonial ;  there  is  no  leaping  or 
jumping  —  all  honest  fishwork,  below  the  surface  and  in  his  own  ele- 
ment. I  have  taken  small-mouth  bass  of  similar  weight  and  length, 
and  brook  trout  not  so  large,  and  they  simply  do  not  compare  with 
this  fighter.  There  is  no  fish  (of  his  class)  which  can  be  named  with 
him.  They  are  not  in  the  same  category  unless  it  be  in  beauty.  It 
would  be  like  comparing  snipe  shooting  with  hunting  deer. 

"This  fish  is  round-barrelled  and  heavy  for  its  size.  It  has  a 
pointed  snout,  with  mouth  under  its  nose  like  the  hake,  which  is  most 
erroneously  called  by  New  York  fishermen  kingfish.  Its  head  has  no 
scales,  but  is  covered  by  a  shining  silver  epidermis.  The  eye  is 
black  and  quite  large.  The  scales  are  large  and  are  closely  set  on 
the  body,  and  look  like  a  network  of  closely  compacted  silver  rings. 
A  most  gleaming  fish. 

"  The  first  question  asked  as  to  a  fish  is  :  'Is  it  good  to  eat ?'  This 
one  is  very  good  to  eat.  It  has  the  disadvantage  of  all  the  fish  for  the 
table  —  the  shad  —  of  being  full  of  bones,  but  the  flesh  in  the  intervals 
is  delicious.  I  like  it  better  than  the  pompano,  and  next  after  the 
shad." 

NOTE  BY  GREGG. 

Mr.  Harris  agrees  with  the  scientific  men  in  his  classification,  and  has  illustration 
of  the  "  Albula  vulpes"  as  the  Bonefish  of  Biscayne  Bay,  and  of  the  " Elops 
saurus"  as  the  Lady-fish  Bonefish  of  the  fishermen  and  sportsmen  of  Florida. 
His  article  on  the  subject,  is,  in  my  opinion,  the  best  one  ever  written,  and  is  here 
copied  with  his  kind  permission.  His  work,  Vol.  I,  is  a  large  folio,  containing,  in 
addition  to  the  text,  forty  colored  illustrations,  and  ninety-three  engravings  of  fishes. 

He  was  my  guest  during  all  of  April,  and  part  of  May  last,  on  a  cruise  from 
Miami  to  Key  West,  which  he  continued  from  Key  West  north  to  Ponce  Park 
(Mosquito  Inlet),  thus  visiting  nearly  all  the  best  fishing  grounds  of  the  East  Coast, 
a  distance  of  422  statute  miles.  While  at  Key  West  I  happened  to  catch,  within  a 
few  minutes,  one  each  of  the  two  fishes  in  question,  both  of  which  we  took  aboard 
and  carefully  examined  and  compared  with  Bulletin  47,  the  result  confirming  all 
that  he  had  said  on  the  subject  in  his  "  Fishes  of  North  America." 

He  has  kindly  written  the  following  affirmation  of  his  previous  statements  and 
conclusion,  for  insertion  herein,  viz  : 

"August  20,  1902.  Since  writing  the  above  (in  'Fishes  of  North  America')  I 
have  encountered  the  bone-fish  {Albula  vidpes)  in  the  waters  of  the  Florida  Keys, 
and  accord  them  all  the  game  qualities  allotted  by  angling  writers  and  rod  users  ; 
certainly,  for  size,  they  are  the  ablest  fighters  of  the  seas.  I  had  heard  of  them, 
years  ago,  from  hundreds  of  fishing  tourists  on  the  Western  Coast  of  Florida,  where 
they  were  not  found,  and  where  they  were  known  as  the  bone-fish  of  Biscayne  Bay. 

"A  fish  (Elops  saurus),   of  another  family,    was  called  on  the  West  Coast  the 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  275 

'  lady  '  or  bony-fish,  it  being  almost  ubiquitous  on  both  the  East  and  West  coasts  ; 
the  name  '  bone-fish '  was  never  applied  by  anglers  to  any  fish  other  than  that  of 
Biscayne  Bay,  Fla.  All  of  these  three  names  were  assigned  respectively  to  both  of 
the  above-named  species  in  the  official  publications  of  the  United  States  Fish 
Commission. 

"This  confusing  popular  nomenclature,  authoritatively  endorsed  by  scientists,  led 
me  temporarily  last  spring  to  confuse  the  two  fishes  when  first  taken  on  my  rod,  and 
I  am  glad  to  see  that  Jordan  &  Evermann  in  their  latest  publication,  '  American 
Food  and  Game  Fishes,' have  dropped  the  perplexing  name  of  '  lady  fish  '  which 
they  formerly  applied  to  Flops  saurus,  the  fighting  brother  of  the  tarpon,  leaping 
into  the  air,  'dancing  on  its  tail,'  with  snout  and  greater  portion  of  its  body  in  full 
view,  every  action  showing  it  to  be  of  the  same  noble  stock  as  the  'Silver  King.' 

"Per  contra,  Albula  vulpes,  the  true  bone-fish  of  Biscayne  Bay,  never  leaps,  fights 
straight  away  in  long  desperate  surges,  being  apparently  ignorant  of  other  devices 
of  escape,  and  is  seldom  caught  in  deep  water,  in  which  the  'lady-fish'  habitually 
feeds.  The  different  actions  of  these  two  fishes,  when  on  a  restraining  line,  indicate, 
from  an  angling  standpoint,  no  kindred  of  species  ;  in  fact,  the  leaper  is  close  kin 
to  the  tarpon,  and  the  surger  belongs  to  a  different  family  {AUndida)  the  lady-fishes, 
of  which  but  one  species  is  known,  the  one  here  considered. 

"Again,  the  question  of  range  of  these. two  fishes,  as  stated  by  Jordan  &  Ever- 
mann, still  continues  to  confuse  the  angler.  The  bone-fish  of  Biscayne  Bay,  accord- 
ing to  the  consensus  of  opinion  and  experience  among  rod  fishermen,  has  never 
been  seen,  or  caught,  north  of  Indian  River,  Florida,  albeit  the  ichthyologists  state 
that  they  range  as  far  north  as  Long  Island.  The  migrations  of  the  'lady-fish' 
(Flops),  so  called  by  anglers,  are  confined  by  the  same  authorities  to  the  seas  south 
of  the  Carolinas  and  the  Gulf  of  Carolina,  while  one  straggler,  at  least,  roamed 
north  to  the  south  side  of  Staten  Island,  N.  Y. 

"W.   C.    HARRIS." 


276  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND  HOW   TO   CATCH  FISH 


RESUME. 

In  conclusion,  I  will  say  that  inasmuch  as  there  has  certainly  been 
two  different  fishes  in  Florida  called  Bonefish,  and  two  different  ones 
called  Ladyfish,  two  so  called  by  the  residents  and  sportsmen,  and 
the  other  two  so  called  by  the  scientific  men,  it  was  natural  that  the 
confusion  of  names  should  arise.  Although  the  scientific  men  have 
been  technically  right  all  the  time,  some  of  them  have,  in  my  opinion, 
added  to  the  confusion  in  some  of  the  ranges  of  habitat  and  edible 
qualities.  For  instance,  Gunther  says  of  "  Albula  "  (the  Bonefish  of 
Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Keys):  "  It  grows  to  a  length  of  two  to  three 
feet,  and  not  valued  as  food."  Now,  no  bonefish  has  been  caught  in 
Biscayne  Bay  and  among  the  Keys  which  has  weighed  over  10^ 
pounds,  or  measured  over  two  feet  long,  but  he  may  reach  a  length  of 
three  feet  in  the  West  Indian,  or  other  tropical  seas  ;  and  the  fish  is 
in  Florida,  Cuba,  and  Nassau  considered  a  fairly  edible  one.  I  class 
him  B,  but  "tastes  differ,"  and  many  people  consider  him  A  No.  1, 
and  A.  He  says  of  the  "  Elops  saurus,"  "  It  exceeds  a  length  of 
three  feet  and  is  not  esteemed  as  food,"  which  is,  I  think,  correct. 

Jordan  &  Gilbert,  page  258,  say  of  the  Albula  vulpes :  "Cape 
Cod  to  Southern  California  and  East  Indies,  abundant  in  tropical 
seas. "  Only  an  occasional  straggler  has  been  found  north  of  Biscayne 
Bay,  a  few  in  Lake  Worth,  and  occasionally  one  caught  in  net  by 
market  fishermen  near  Indian  River  Inlet. 

H.  M.  Smith,  in  "Annotated  List  of  Fishes  known  to  inhabit  the 
Woods  Hole  Region,"  says,  under  heading  "  Albula  vulpes  ".•  "Very 
rare,  reported  by  Prof.  Baird  in  1871,  and  since  observed  only  once 
or  twice.      None  seen  for  many  years." 

They  say,  "  Not  much  valued  as  food,  but  beautiful  and  gamy," 
which,  in  my  opinion,  is  incorrect  as  to  edible  qualities.  They  say 
of  £  lops  saurus,  "A  handsome  fish,  not  rare  on  our  Atlantic  coast." 
Which  I  think  correct,  if  confined  to  southern  part  of  the  coast,  say 
from  Virginia  south. 

Jordan  &  Evermann  say  of  Albula  vulpes  :  "  Length  18  inches 
to  3  feet,  and  a  beautiful  and  active  fish,  in  most  places  little  valued 
as   food,  but   in   some   regions,   as  Key  West,   highly  appreciated." 


ON   THE  EAST  COAST  OF  FLORIDA.  277 

An  error  as  to  edible  qualities.  They  cite  two  authorities,  who  call 
the  fish  "  Banana  Fish,"  and  they  put  it  in  as  one  of  their  common 
names. 

Now,  the  Bone-fish  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Keys  does  not  in  the 
least  resemble  a  banana  in  shape,  but  the  Lady-fish  Bone-fish  of  Flor- 
ida does  decidedly  resemble  a  banana.  Where,  or  how,  did  the 
Albula  vulpes  of  the  books  get  the  name  of  Banana  Fish  ?  They  say, 
"  Ranging  northward  on  our  coasts  to  San  Diego  and  Long  Island." 
See  H.  M.  Smith,  as  quoted,  as  to  latter  point. 

They  say  of  Elops  saurus :  "Tropical  seas,  abundant  and  very 
widely  distributed,  common  in  America,  north  to  Carolina  and  the 
Gulf  of  California,  straying  on  the  Atlantic  coast  to  Long  Island." 
Which  I  believe  to  be  correct.    They  say  nothing  of  its  edible  qualities. 

G.  Brown  Goode,  page  410,  as  quoted.  He  very  evidently 
classed  the  Lady-fish  of  Florida  in  the  Albula  family.  He  says  Hen- 
shall  found  it  in  the  Indian  River  Inlet,  etc. 

I  am  inclined  to  think  Doctor  Henshall  simply  wrote  of  the 
"  Lady-fish  "  of  Florida,  and  had  nothing  to  do  with  Goode's  descrip- 
tion. He  speaks  of  the  fish  he  caught  as  a  "slender  fish,"  so  surely 
was  writing  of  the  so-called  Lady-fish  of  Florida. 

Goode  says  :  "At  the  Bermudas,  large  schools  are  taken,  and  it  is 
there  considered  a  most  excellent  food  fish.  From  personal  observa- 
tion I  can  testify  that  its  reputation  is  by  no  means  a  false  one." 
After  quoting  from  Henshall,  he  says  :  "  On  account  of  its  beautiful 
color  it  sells  readily,  but  is  not  esteemed  as  a  table  fish." 

U.  S.  Fish  Commission  Report  of  1895,  in  Check  List  by  J.  &  E. 
Elopdce  :  "Common  north  to  the  Gulf  of  California  and  to  the 
Long  Island  Sound  on  the  Atlantic  coast."  See  H.  M.  Smith  as  to 
this  statement. 

Of  Albula  vulpes ',  they  say:  "Tropical  seas,  varying  northward 
to  San  Diego  and  Long  Island." 

In  same  work  is  quotation  from  list  of  J.  F.  McCormick,  "Bone- 
fish.  Albula  vulpes."  Nothing  to  indicate  which  Bonefish  he 
meant.      I  presume,  the  one  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Keys. 

U.  S.  Fish  Commission  Report,  l<s(.Ki,  page  240.  Evermann  & 
Kendall    say,    under    heading    Elops    saurus:      "Observed    at    Fort 


278  WHERE,    WHEN,  AND   HOW    TO   CATCH  FISH. 

Pierce,  and  at  mouth  of  St.  Lucie  River.  Known  to  some  fishermen 
as  Ladyfish.  Frequently  taken  in  seines.  Examples  from  Fort 
Pierce  preserved."  The  above  is,  of  course,  the  Ladyfish  Bonefish 
of  Florida. 

The  Albula  vulpes  is  not  reported  in  the  list  of  Indian  River 
Fishes,  showing  plainly  that  Mr.  Goode  was  mistaken  in  saying  that 
Doctor  Henshall  caught  them  there. 

Same  work,  "The  Fish  and  Fisheries  of  the  Coastal  Waters  of 
Florida,"  John  J.  Brice,  reference  at  foot  page  285:  "  There  are 
many  other  species  of  fishes  found  at  Key  West  which  are  used  to  a 
greater  or  less  extent  as  food.  Among  them  are  the  Bonefish  {Albula 
vulpes'),  Ten-pounder  {Elops  saurus),  Barracuda,  etc."  All  con- 
sistent with  other  scientists. 

U.  S.  Fish  Commission  Bulletin,  1897:  "Annotated  List  of 
Fishes  known  to  inhabit  the  Woods  Hole  Region,  by  Hugh  M. 
Smith."  Pages  90,  91:  "  Elops  saurus,  Ten  Pounder  ;  Big-eyed 
Herring.  Common  in  fall,  none  appearing  before  October,  etc.,  "  Al- 
bula vulpes"  (Linnaeus),  "Ladyfish;  Bonefish."  "Very  rare. 
Reported  by  Prof.  Baird  in  1871,  and  since  observed  only  once  or 
twice.    None  seen  for  many  years. ' '    All  consistent  with  other  scientists. 

U.  S.  Fish  Commission  Report,  1899.  "Check  List  of  the 
Fishes  of  Florida,  Evermann  &  Kendall."  " Albula  vulpes  and 
Elops  saurus."     All  consistent. 

Mr.  Wm.  C.  Harris.  "The  Fishes  of  North  America."  " Albula 
vulpes  and  Elops  saurus,"  is  consistent  with  the  scientists. 

Fishes  of  Porto  Rico.  U.  S.  Fish  Commission,  1900,  B.  W. 
Evermann,  has  "Elops  saurus"  (the  Florida  Ladyfish  Bonefish); 
all  consistent  in  every  way.  "Albula  vulpes"  (the  Bonefish  of 
Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Keys);  all  consistent  except  the  range  to 
Massachusetts.     See  H.  M.  Smith,  quoted  above. 

1  trust  the  above  quotations  may  fully  establish  the  fact  that  the 
"Albula  vulpes"  of  the  text  books  is  the  "  Bonefish  of  Biscayne 
Bay  and  the  Keys,"  and  that  the  "Elops  saurus  "  of  the  text  books 
is  the  "Ladyfish  Bonefish"  of  both  coasts  of  Florida,  so  called  by 
the  sportsmen  and  market  fishermen  of  the  State. 


INDEX 


PAGE. 

Acara  Aya,        90 

Atlantic  Beach, 179 

Ada  B.,  Sloop, 211 

Arch  Creek, 205 

Artificial  Flies, 213 

Aquarium, 220 

American  Anglers'  Book,    .      .     .     3,  4 

Al  Fresco, 3 

American  Game  Fishes,       ...         4 

Asten,  Commodore, 5 

America, 9 

American  Fishes  (Goode),  .     13,  14,  44 

American  Angler, 4 

Alewife,        34,  158 

American  Shad, 35 

Armes,  Mr.,      .  53 

Allen,  Mr.,        55 

Amber  Jack,  .  .  GO,  61,  62,  158,  160 
Angel-fish,  130,  131,  132,  132i,  133,  222 
Angel-fish,  Black,  .  .  .  " .  .  131 
Angelichthys  Ciliaris,  ....  132 
Angelichthys  Isabelita,    ....     133 

American  Sole 148,  149 

Angel  Fish  Creek,      ...        177,  222 

Arch  Creek, 205 

Arsenecker  Keys,  .  .  .  213,  225 
Angelfish  Creek,  Little,        ...     222 

Angelfish  Key, 222 

Annette  Key, 238 

Aetobatus  Narinari, 26 

Alligator  Lighthouse,       8,  87,  230,  231 

Alligator  Gar, 27 

Ahlia  Egmontis, 30 

Anisotremus  Virginicus,       .  .     106 

Achirus  Lineatus, 148 

Achirus  Inscriptus, 148 

Achirus  Fasciatus 149 

Artificial  Baits,      ....        158,  159 

Alligator  Story, 191 

Alibi  Story, 226 

Anclote  River, 8,  44 

Alosa  Sapidissima, 35 

Anchovy, 38,  158 

Archosargus  Unimaculatis,  .  .  114 
Aixhosargus  Probatocephalus,       .     115 

Ankona, 194 

Aquarium,  .      .   • 8 

Audubon, 15 

Albula  Vulpes, 34 


PAGE. 

Agujon 39 

Aguja  de  Casta, 39 

Aguja  Voladora, 52 

Aguaji, 79 

Aguja  Prieta, 52 

Ancylopsetta  Quadrocellata,     .     .  146 

Barracuda,   ....       8,  45,  158,  160 

Bay  of  Florida, 8 

Bay  St.  Louis,        8 

Baits, 32,  157,  158 

Banana-fish, 34 

Branch  Herring, 34 

Barracuda,  Great, 45 

Bars,        177 

Bannerfish,        52 

Black  Bass,  Large-mouth,    .     .      72,  74 

Bayou  Bass, 72 

Black  Grouper, 78,  79 

Bacalao,        79 

Black  Jewfish         79 

Bairdiella  Chrysura,         ....       97 

Black  Grunt, 99 

Bastard  Margaret,  ...  99,  152 
Bathystoma  Rimator,  ....  103 
Bathystoma  Striatum,  ....  105 
Bathystoma  Aurolineatum,        .     .      105 

Bajonado, 110 

Bass,        118 

Black  Drum, 123 

Black  Angel-fish,        131 

Balistes  Carolinensis,       ....      133 

Balistes  Vetula, 134 

Bladder-fish, 141 

Black  Creek, 212 

Bat-fish,        141,  150 

Barnes  Sound,        ....       217,  225 

Black  Sea  Bass, 150 

Black  Water  Bay, 225 

Black-fish, 150,  156 

Black  Will,        150 

Black  Harry, 150 

Bravo,  Capt., 56-59 

Black  Bass,  ...  72,  73,  74,  75 
Ball      Brothers,       Brainerd      and 

Charles, 212,  219 

Bass  line, 161 

"Bay  Way,"    from  Key  West  to 

Miami, 244 


256 


INDEX 


PAGE. 

Brass  Box  Swivels, 161 

Bahia  Honda  Key,     .     .     .       233,  234 

Banana  River,        191 

Bahia  Honda  Harbor  and    Chan- 
nels,             234,  238 

Banana  Creek,        191 

Beverly,  Fred,        3 

Benson,  Mr., 5 

Bears  Cut,    .     7,  34,  177,  209,  214,  216 

Behring  Sea, 10 

Brevoortia  Tyrannus,  ....  37 
Brevoortia  Tyrannus  Patronus,       .       37 

Becuna,         45 

Breakers,  The,       ...      55,  200,  201 

Bream, 72,  113,  152 

Bream  (salt  water),  113,  114,  121,  152 
Bermuda  Chub,     ....        117,  219 

Besougas, 112,  120,  151 

Biscayne  Bay,     6,  7,  10,  39,  46,  50,  61, 
82,  93,  177,  205,  221 

Biloxi, 8 

Birds  of  America, 15 

Billfish,         27,  39 

Big-eyed  Herring,       ....      33,  34 

Big-eyed  Scad, 62 

Biajaiba, 94 

Brickie,  Capt.  Charles,         .     .     .     211 

Biscayne,  Key, 216 

Big  Spanish  Key  and  Channel,  .  234 
Bird  Key  and  Channel,  ...  235 
Big  Coppit  Key  and  Channel,  .  235 
Big  Pine  Key  and  Channel,  234,  238 
British  Museum,  ....      14,  65 

Birch  Lake,  Minn., 74 

Borden,  Edward  P., 

5,  7,  8,  199,  202,  220,  231 

Brookings,  H.  G., 5 

Bonnet-head  Shark, 16 

Bonedog, 23 

Boca  Grand  Pass, 32 

Bonefish 33,  34,  40 

Bond  Iron  Boat, 74 

Bony-fish, 33,  34,  37 

Bonito, •     .     .      49,  69 

Boohoo, 52 

Brochet  de  Mer, 69,  253 

Brown  Hackle  Fly, 73 

Bonaci  de  Piedra, 78 

Bonaci  Arara, 78 

Boar  Grunt, 100 

Blower,         138 

Blow-fish, 139 

Brook  Trout, 74 

Block-tin  Squids, 158 

Broad  Creek,    .      .     .     .177,  221,  222 

Boca  Chica, 176 

Bonefish  Banks,  The 224 

Boggy, 225,  226 


PAGE. 

Boot  Key  and  Channel,  ....     234 
Boca  Chica  Key  and  Channel,       .     235 
Bollioes  (see  Balaos). 
Bluefish,  4,  7,  10,  64,  68,  68i,  158,  159 

Bulletin  47,  11,  64 

Bulletins  and   Reports  of  United 

States  Fish  Commission,  .  9,  11, 
12,  13,  14,  59,  60,  86,  116,  121, 
140,  152,  154 

Bulletin  No.  16, 11 

Bugfish, 37 

Blue-back  Mullet, 43 

Blue  Runner, 63 

Blunt-nosed  Shiner, 67 

Blue  Bream, 71 

Blue  Sunfish, 71 

Blue-gill, 71 

Blue  Bonito, 49 

Bull  Red-fish 118 

Bullon 129 

Blue  Parrot-fish,    ....       127,  129 

Burr-fish, 140 

Blue  Hole  Cut,      ....       177,  193 

Budd  Key, 238 

Buel  Spoon, 31 

Clarke,  S.  C,  .  .  .  .  3,  4,  5,  186 
Camp  Life  in  Florida,  ....  3 
Camping  and  Cruising  in  Florida,  3 

Cape  Florida,    ...    8,  210,  216,  217 

Cape  Florida  Light, 218 

Cape  Florida  Pass, 177 

Caesar's  Creek,  ....  8,  177,  221 
Charlotte  Harbor,       .     .     8,  31,  32,  44 

Cape  Sable, 8,  233 

Caloosa  River, 8,  32 

California,  Gulf  of, 10 

Cavalles,  .  10,  12,  44,  50,  63,  64,  66 
Canal,  Lake  Worth  to  Biscayne  Bay,   204 

Catfishes, 12,  64 

Carps, 12,  64 

Cannibals, 217 

Catalogue  of  the  New  York  Aqua- 
rium, The, 13 

Carcharias  Littoralis,       ....        17 

Card  Sound, 217,  222 

Clam  Cracker, 26 

Captiva  Pass, 32 

Crawfish,   .     19,  66,  156,  157,  158,  217 

Cameron,  Mr., 53 

Carolina  coast, 55 

Caranx  Crysos, 63 

Caranx  Hippos, 66 

Crab 66,  156 

Caranx  BartholomaM,       ....        68 

Crab  Eater 69 

Card  Point, 213 

Chrenobryttus  Gulosus,    ....       70 


INDEX. 


Ihl 


PAGE. 

Calico  Phantom  Minnows,  .     .     .     158 

Cabra  Mora, 75 

Cabrilla, 75 

Channel  Key, 238 

Cabrilla  de  Raizero, 78 

Cabellerote, 85 

Crane  Key, 238 

Caji, 88 

Caesar, 103 

Catalineta, 106 

Calamus  Calamus, 110 

Charts  U.  S.  Geodetic  Survey,       .      213 

Calamus  Proridens, 110 

Calamus  Bajonado, 110 

Calamus  Penna, Ill 

Calamus  Arctifrons, Ill 

Channel  Bass, 118 

Carolina  Whiting, 122 

Capitaine, 126 

Clamagore, 129 

Chsetodipterus  Faber,      ....      130 

Chapin, 136,  136 

Crayfish, 156,  157,  214 

Crappies, 73 

Calda  Channel, 244 

Clams  for  Bait,  ....  158,  158 
Crawl  Key  and  Channel,  .  .  .  234 
Charleston  News  and  Courier  Shark 

Stories, 20,  21,  22 

Cedar  Keys, 3,  10 

Clear  Water, 8 

Clear  Water  Harbor 8,  18 

Crevalle  (see  Cavalle). 

Check  List  of  Fishes  of  Florida,  11,  219 

Check  List  of  Bulletin  47,  .     .      11,  12 

Cefalo, 42 

Cero, 50 

Cherna  Americana, 76 

Cherna  de  Vivero, 76 

Cherna  Criolla, 77 

Creole  Fish, 83 

Cephalacanthus  Volitans,  .  .  .  141 
Centropomus  Undecimalis,  .  .  253 
Centropristes  Striatus,     ....      150 

Chicarro, 62 

Cibi  Amarillo, 68 

Chirivita 131 

City  Point, 190 

City  of  Key  West,  Steamer,     .     .       57 

Connor,  W.  E., 5 

Cocoanut  Grove,      8,  210,  212,  213,  214 

Common  Skate, 24 

Common  Sea  Cat, 28 

Conger  Eel, 29 

Common  Shad, 35 

Common  American  Sea-horse,       .        41 

Common  Mullet, 42 

Conchs,  ...       61,  06,  105,  215,  217 


PAGE. 

Conch  Shells,         ....       105,  158 

Cobbler, 54 

Common  Pompano,    ....      54,  55 

Cory,  Mr., 55 

Cobb,  John  N., 59 

Coronado, 60,  187 

Coginera, 62 

Cobia 69 

Copper-nosed  Bream,      ....        71 

Common  Sunfish,        72 

Chopa, 84 

Chofa, 84 

Common  Grunt, 101 

Common  Scup, 108 

Chopa  Spina, 113,  152 

Chopa  Blanca, 117 

Common  Weakfish, 117 

Croaker, 120,  121 

Chonch  Keys, 233 

Corvina, 121 

Common  Drum, 124 

Common  Angel-fish,        ....      133 

Cochino, 134 

Cow-fish, 137 

Coldweather,  effect  of,    ...     .     245 

Common  Burr-fish, 140 

Common  Flatfish, 147 

Common  Sea  Crab, 156 

Corbett's  Docks, 44,  180 

Costello,  Alfred, 211 

Cod  Line 161 

Cork  Floats, 162,  172 

Courtney, 190 

Continental  Hotel 239 

Coon  Oysters, 180 

Coronado  Beach, 187 

Cocoa, 190 

Cow  Key  and  Channel,  ....     235 

Chuckaluska, 8 

Chubs, 10,  117 

Crustacffi, 33,  40 

Cutlass  Fish, 51 

Chub  (salt  water), 117 

Cuban  Fish, 121 

Cucuyo, 133 

Cuckold, 137 

Cuttle  Fish, 156 

Cut  Mullets, 158 

Cut  Sailor's  Choice, 158 

Cudjoes  Key  and  Channel,  .       235,  238 

Cut  Kingfish, 158 

Cutler, 210 

Cynoscion  Regalis, 117 

Cynoscion  Nebulosus,      .      .      .      .      118 
Chylomycterus  Schoepfi,       .     .     .     140 

Cyprinodon, 142 

Cryptotomus  Beryllinus,       .     .     .     127 


258 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Daytona, 5,  6,  182 

Dasyatis  Say, 25 

Darwinian  Theory, 64 

Dark  Green  Parrot  Fish,  ...  127 
Deer  Island  and  Channel,    .     .     .     235 

Desolation  Key, 238 

Diehl,  Dr 5 

Dimmick's  Hotel,       ....        7,  56 

Disston  City, 8 

Diplectrum  Formosum,  .  .  48,  82 
Diplodus  Holbrookii,      ....     116 

Diodon  Hystrix, 139 

Diablo, 150 

Dogfish, 23 

Dogfish,  Picked 23 

Dollar-fish,        63 

Dollardee, 71 

Dolly  Varden  Grouper,         .     .    78,  219 

Dormeur, 84 

Dog  Key, 238 

Doctor  Whitfield's 190 

Doctor  Perrine, 230 

Duneden, 8 

Drum, 124 

Drumfish, 123 

Drunken-fish, 136 

Duck  Lake,  Mich.,     ....      74,  75 

Ducks 188 

Duck  Key 233 

Elagatis  Bipinnulatus,  ....  62 
East      Coast      Railway      Steamer 

"  Santa  Lucia,"        ....       57 
Egg-shaped  Sinkers,  .     .     .        161,  175 

EauGalle 190 

East  Rockland  Key, 235 

East  Crawfish  Key, 236 

Eagle  Nest  Key 238 

East  Coast,  .  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  10,  11,  91 
East  Coast  Hotel  List,     ....      177 

El  Capitaine, 126 

East  Coast  Railway, 177 

Eddie  Pent, 213 

Enterprise, 3,  5 

Evermann,  Barton  Warren,        9,  11,  13 

Echeneis  Naucrates, 143 

Eden, 59,  194 

Everglades, 6 

English  Lookout,        8 

Ellwife, 34 

Epinephelus  Adscensionis,  ...  75 
Epinephelus  Drummond-Hayi,  .  75 
Epinephelus  Maculosus,       ...        75 

Epinephelus  Morio, 76 

Epinephelus  Striatus,      ....        77 

Erizo, 139 

English  Pilchard,        155 

Elliots  Key, 220,  221 


PAGE. 

Elops  Saurus, 33 

Exoccetus  Volitans, 40 

Eupomotis  Gibbosus,      ....  72 

Eques  Lanceolatus, 125 

European  Languages,     ....  65 

Encyclopaedia  Britannica,    ...  65 

Fatback,       . 37,  68 

Flasher,        84 

Flagler,  Mr.  H.  M.,        .     .  57,  58,  216 
Frankfort  Reel,  B.C.  Milam  &  Son, 

Frankfort,  Ky 161 

Faustina, 190 

Flatfish,  Common, 147 

Fairy  Land, 190 

Fernandina, 3,  6 

Felichthys  Marinus, 29 

French  Grunt, 102 

Flemmings  Key, 238 

French  Names  of  Fishes,     ...       13 

Fish  and  Fishing, 3 

Finny  Crabs, 936 

Fishing  in  American  Waters,  .  3 
Fishes  of  North  and  Middle  Amer- 
ica, a  Descriptive  Catalogue  of 
the  Species  of  Fish-like  Verte- 
brates found  in  the  waters  of 
North  America,  North  of  the 
Isthmus  of  Panama,  The  .  11 
Fishes  of  Porto  Rico,      ....        12 

File  Fish, 135 

Fishes  of  North  America  (Harris),       65 

Fishery  Congress, 9 

Fishing  Localities, 177 

Fiddler  Crabs 33,  158 

Frigate  Mackerel, 49 

Fishing  Tackle,     ....        160-175 

Forester,  Frank, 3,  13 

Florida, 3,  6,  9,  10,  31 

Forest  and  Stream, 3,  4 

Fort  Meyers, 8,  31 

Florida,    Bay   of    (Great    Florida 

Bay), 231 

Fort  Pierce  Cut,    ....        177,  193 

Floats,  Cork, 162,  172 

Florida  Cat, 28 

Fort  Capron 193 

Fodiator  Acutus, 41 

Fowey  Rock  Light,  51,  52,  60,  61,  68,  218 

Fool  Fish, 135 

Fort  Lauderdale, 205 

Flounders,    .     .     .      145,  146,  147,  149 

Florida  Food, 44 

Fort  Pierce, 194 

Flounder,  Spotted, 147 

Formula  of  Jordan  &  Evermann,    14,  15 

Fundulus  Heteroclitus 154 

Flying-fish 40,  41 


INDEX. 


259 


PAGE. 

Flying-fish,  Sharp-nosed,  ...  41 
Flying  Robin, 141 

Gardner,  Capt.  John,  4,  5,  7,  8,  31, 

44,  45,  55,  61,  62,  87,  105,  116 

Gata  (Shark),        17 

Gar  (fresh  water) 27 

Gar,  Short-nosed, 27 

Gaff,  Topsail  Cat, 29 

Grande  Ecaille, 31 

Gaspereau, 34 

Galliwasp 38 

Gag .       79 

Garrupa  Nigrita,         79 

Gray  Snapper, 85,  87 

Gray  Grunt, 98 

Grass  Porgy, Ill 

Garfield  Cut, 177,  193 

Galeichthys   or  Hexanematichthys 

Felis, 28 

Grains, 214 

Grain  Handles, 214 

Grasshoppers  (bait),  ....  72 
Grassy  Key  and  Channel,    .     .     .     234 

Gregg,  W.  H., 5 

Gregg,  W.  H.,  Jr., 5 

Great  Gar, 27 

George,  Mr., 31,  32 

Great  Barracuda, 45 

Great  Pompano, 59 

Great  Amber-fish, 60 

Green  Bass, 72 

Greek  Language,        65 

Gerres  Olisthostomus,  ....  116 
Green  Parrot-fish,       .     .     .       127,  129 

Green  Lake,  Wis., 74 

Georgiana, 190 

Great  Florida  Reefs,  .  207,  216,  218 
Great  Bay  of  Florida,  226,  231,  233,  244 
Geodetic  Survey,  U.  S.,  .  .  .  213 
Geigers  Key  and  Channel,  .  .  .  235 
Gilbert's  Bar,  7,  50,  55,  177,  194,  195 
Ginglymostoma  Cirratum,    ...        17 

Gill  Nets, 202,  205 

Grits, 43 

Grits  and  Grunts,  .  .  .  104,  105 
GrifnnBrothers,  Walter  andjefferson,  242 
Goode,  G.  Browne,  .  .  4,  13,  14,  44 
Groupers,   12,  64,  74^,  75,  76,  77, 

78,  79,  158,  159 

Ground  Spearing, 38 

Goat  Fish, 39,  82,  129 

Goat-fish,  Yellow 129 

Goggle-eye  Runner, 62 

Goggler, 62 

Goggle-eye  Jack, 62 

Goggle-eye 70 

Goode  &  Beane, 116 


PAGE. 

Gogebig,  Lake,  Wis.,  ....   74 

Goody, 120,  151 

Globe  Fish, 139,  141 

Gobies, 142,  158 

Gobius  Stigmaticus, 142 

Gobius  encoeomus, 142 

G.  boleosoma, 142 

Gulf  of  Mexico,    ....       8,  10,  35 
Grunts,   10,   12,  98,  99,  100,  101, 

102,  103,  105,  158 

Grunt  Story, 104,  105 

Gulf  of  California, 10 

Gulf  Menhaden, 37 

Guardfish, 39 

Guebucu 52 

Guasa, 80 

Grunters, 98-105 

Guapena, 125 

Guacamaia, 129 

Gunther,  Albert  C.  L.  G.,        .      14,  65 

Gulf  Flounder, 146 

Guides  for  Rods 161,  174 

Gulf-fish, 121 

Gulf  Coast, 10 

Gut  Snood, 33,  55 

Gymnosarda  Alleterata,       ...       49 

Hallock,  Charles 3,  14 

Haldeman,  W.  N., 4 

Halifax  River,  ....        4,  149,  182 

Hawley,  Frederick, 5 

Hays,  Charles  M., 5 

Haulovers,  The,    ....       6,  7,  189 
Hammer-headed  Shark,       ...       16 

Hard  Tail  Runner, 63 

Hamlet, 30,  77 

Hremulon  Album,      ....    98,  155 
Hcemulon  Macrostomum,     ...       98 

Hnjmulon, 98-102,  153 

Hcemulon  Bonariense,     ....       99 

Hsemulon  Parra, 99,  153 

Haemulon  Sciurus, 100 

Heemulon  Plumieri, 101 

Hsemulon  Flavolineatum,     .     .     .     102 

Harpe  Rufa 126 

Hakes, 144 

Hake,  Silver, 144 

Haunabill, 150 

H.  acutum, 153 

H.  serratum, 153 

H.  macrostomum, 154 

H.  rimator, 154 

Harris,  W.  C, 65 

Hall's  Lines 32,  161 

Harrison's    blued    ringed  Sproat 

Hooks 161,  173 

Haulover  Canal   (see  Haulover). 
Hawkes  Channel, 207 


260 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Hawks  Park, 188 

Harbor  Keys  and  Channel,       .     .     235 

Hawk  Key, 238 

Herbert,  Henry  William,  ...  3 
Henshall,  Jas.  A.,      ...     3,  14,  232 

Henn,  Lieut.  Wm., 10 

Hermit  Crab, 33,  158 

Henry,  Uncle 57 

Hillsboro  River,    ...       4,  5,  6,  149 

Hillman,  C.  E., 5 

Hillsboro  Bay, G 

Hillsboro,  Sloop, 7,  61 

Hippocampus  Hudsonius,  ...  41 
Hippocampus  Zostera,  ....  42 
Hillsboro  Inlet,  ....  177,  204 
Hillsboro  River  (Dade  Co.),     .     .     204 

Hillsboro  Sound, 204 

Horse  Creek, 8 

Hotel  Riviera,        7 

Homosassa, 8 

Homosassa  River, 8,  44 

Houndfish,        39 

Holocentrus  Ascensionis,  ...  47 
Hotel  Royal  Palm,  51,  53,  60,  209,  231 

Horse-eye  Jack, 62 

Horse  Crevalle, 66 

Horsefish, 67 

Horsehead, 67 

Hogfish,       ...        91,  107,  126,  152 

Horny  Cony, 135 

Hog  Choker, 149 

Hobe  Sound, 196 

Hotel  Royal  Poinciana,  7,  57,  61,  200 
Houses  of  Refuge,      .     .     .     .     6,   211 

Howes  Key, 238 

Hooks,  Virginia  Pattern,     .     .     .     161 

Hooks, 161 

Huling,  Mr.  Geo.  D.,     .     .     .      52,  53 

Huxley,  Thos.  H., 157 

Hypoluxo, 200 

Hybridism, 65 

Isabelita, 132 

Indian  River,  4,  6,   7,  10,  35,  44, 

45,  54,  55,  116,  190,  193,  244,  246 
Indian  River  Inlet,   7,  10,  31,  50, 

55,  177,  194 
Indian  Key,  .  .  8,  19,  87,  230,  245 
Istiophorus  Nigricans,  ....  52 
Indian  River  Permit,  .  .  .  55,  59 
Irish  Pompano,      ....        116,  116 

Ink  Fish, 156 

Indianola, 190 

Indian  River  Narrows,    ....      192 

Indian  Creek, 206 

Inn,  The  (Lake  Worth),  .  .  55,  201 
Inside  Route  from   Key  West   to 

Bahia  Honde, 238 


PAGE. 

Introductory, 3 

Introduction  to  the  Study  of  Fishes 

(Glinther), 14 

Isurus  Dekayi, 17 

Jacksonville, 3,  6,  7 

Jacks, 10,  12,  64,  66 

Jallao, 98,  155 

Jeniguano, 105 

Jelly  Fish, 156 

Jensen, 59,  194 

Jewfish, 79,  80,  81,  158 

Jewfish  Channel, 198 

Jewfish  Creek,       ....       225,  225 

Jiguagua, 66 

Jones,  Sam'l  H.,  .     .     .     .     5,  31,  194 

Johns  Pass, 8 

Jordan,  David  Star, 11 

Jordan  &Evermann,     11,12,13,14,   16, 

54,  60,  63,  64,  86,  116,  124,  140 

Jordan  cSc  Gilbert,       .     .     .     11,  12,  64 

John-Mariggle, 33 

Jorobado, 67 

John  Paw, 75 

Jolt-head  Porgy, 110 

Jordan  &  Kendall, 219 

Jupiter, 6,  7,  56,  197 

Jupiter  Inlet,     ...     55,  69,  177,  197 

Jupiter  Creeks, 198 

Jurel, 63 

Jug-fish, 137 

Juno, 56 

Jupiter  Narrows,         196 

Jupiter  &  Lake  Worth  Railway,    .     198 

Kenworthy,  Dr., 3 

Key  West,  4,  5,  6,  10,  18,  19,  50, 
54,  93,    104,    105,  213,  217, 

236,  237,  242,  244 

Key  West  Channel, 235 

Kendall,  W.  C, 59 

Key  West  Permit,  ....  54,  60 
Key  West  Sailor's  Choice,  .  .  .  153 
Key  Largo,       .     .      177,  222,  222,  226 

Key  Biscayne,        216 

Keys,  The,  6,  9,  13,  34,  64,    116, 

213    217 
Kingfish,      ...     7,  10,  50,  158,  159 

Kingfish  (small), 122 

Knight  Key  and  Channel,  .  234,  244 
Knock  Down  Key  and  Channel,  .  235 
Kyphosus  Sectatrix, 117 

Lake  Worth  Inlet 201 

Lake  Worth,    .    6,  7,  10,  50,  55,  56,  87 

Lake  Worth  Creek, 6 

Lake  Worth  Pier 87,  201 

Lake  Poinset, 7 


INDEX. 


261 


PAGE. 

Large-Mouth  Bass, 72 

Lancelets, 13 

Lake  Gogebig,  Mich.,     ....        74 

Lake  Superior, 75 

Lampreys, 13 

Lake  Gogebig,  Mich.,     ....        74 

Lady-fish 34,  126 

Latin  Language, 65 

Lagarto, 38 

Lake  Worth  Inlet,     ....    55,  177 

Large  Permit, 60 

Lawyer,        85 

Lane  Snapper, 94 

Lagodon  Rhomboides,    .     .        113,  152 

Lafayette, 120,  151 

Lachnolaimus  Maximus,  .  .  .  126 
Lactophrys  Tricornis,     ....      137 

La  Forge,  Miss, 53 

Lactophrys  Trigonus,  ....  136 
Lactophrys  Triqueter,  ....  136 
Lagocephalus  Lrevigatus,  .  .  .  137 
Lagocephalus  Pachycephalus,        .     137 

Lantana, 57,  200 

Lake  Minnetonka,  Minn.,    .     .      73,74 

Lemon  City, 206 

Lepisosteus  Tristoechus,  ...  27 
Lepisosteus  Platostomus,  ...  27 
Leptocephalus  Conger,  ....       29 

Lepomis, 71 

Lepomis  Pallidus, 71 

Leiostomus  Xanthurus,  .     .       120,  151 

Leather  Jacket, 133 

Leather  Fish, 134.  135 

Leaders, 33,  55 

List  of  Fishes,  .  .  .  207,  208,  209 
List  of  Fishing  Tackle,  .    160,  161,  162 

List  of  Baits, 33,  158 

List  of  Artificial  Baits,  .  .  158,  159 
Lillie  Shippey,  Sloop,     ....  7 

Little  Skate, 24 

Lisa  Francesa, 33 

Lizard  Fish, 38 

Lisa  Cabezuda, 42 

Liza 43 

Lisa  Blanca, 43 

Little  Tunny, 49 

Little-head  Porgy, 110 

Little-mouth  Porgy, Ill 

Lija, 134,  135 

Ligget,  John,         45 

Linen  Tarpon  Line, 161 

Little  Pine  Key  and  Channel,        .     234 

Little  River, 205 

Little  Spanish  Key  and  Channel,  .  234 
Little  Card  Sound,     .     .     .       217,  225 

Little  Soldier  Key, 218 

Lignum  Vite  Key, 231 

Lorillard,  Jacob,         7 


PAGE. 

Long  Key, 8,  233 

Look-Downs 12,  67 

Lorillard,  Pierre, 196 

Long-jaws, 39 

Lobotes  Surinamensis,    ....  84 

Loro 129 

Lophogobius  Cyprinoides,  .     .     .  142 

Lophopsetta  Maculata,    ....  147 

Lobster 157 

Lower  Minnetonka  Lake,    ...  73 

Loxahatchie  River, 198 

Long  Island 226 

Lower  Mattacombe  Key,      .      .      .  230 

Lower  Mattacombe  Channels,  .     .  233 

Lupe,  James 5 

Lutken,  Dr., 68 

Lycodontis  Moringa,       ....  30 

Lycodontis  Funebris,       ....  30 

McFarren,  Mr., 5 

McCarty,  Dick, 7 

McCarthy,  Eugene, 14 

Mandeville  Bros., 5 

Matanzas  River, 6 

Matanzas  Bridge, 180 

Mascalonge, 74 

Matanzas  Inlet 6,  180 

Mademoiselle, 97 

Mayport, 7,  18,  178 

Manatee,  Schooner,   ...  7,  199,  231 

Mammoth  Spring  Hotel,     ...  59 

Marco, 8 

Mangrove  Snappers,  .       85,  86,  86£,  87 

Mackerel  Shark, 17 

Mackerel  Squid, 63 

Manjuari 27 

Matejuelo, 47 

Matajuelo  Real, 33 

Macabi, 34 

Malabar, 190 

Manjua, 38 

Macho 42 

Machuto, 42 

Matejuelo, 47 

Mangrove  Grouper, 78 

Mackerel  Phantom  Minnow,     .     .  119 

Mademoiselle, 97 

Margate-fish, 98,  155 

Margaret  Grunt 98,  155 

Market  Fish 155 

Mayos  Key  and  Channel,     .       234,  238 
Mexico,  Gulf  of,    ...     .       8,  10,  35 

Merrit 190 

Merrits  Island, 190 

Menhaden, 37,  158 

Menhaden,  Gulf, 37 

Mero  de  lo  Alto, 79 

Mero, 80 


262 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Menticirrhus  Americanus,  .  .  .  122 
Menticirrhus  Saxatilis,  ....  122 
Merritt  Bros.,  Key  West,  .  .  .  244 
Menticirrhus  Littoralis,  ....  123 
Merluccius  Bilinearis,     ....      144 

Melbourne, 190 

Minorcan  Boys, 4 

Miami  River, 8,  206 

Micco, 190 

Miami, 206,  214 

Miller,  Mr.  Charles, 211 

Michaels  Key, 238 

Micropterus  Salmoides,  .     .     .      72,  73 

Minnows, 158 

Minnows,  Phantom,  .     .      34,  158,  164 

Minnow  Hooks, 161 

Micropogon  Undulatus,  ....     121 

Minnesota, 73 

Minnetonka  Lakes 73,  74 

Milwaukee, Lake  Shore &WesternR,y,  74 

Michigan, 74 

Milam  &  Son,   B.  C,      .     .        161,  170 

Michaels  Key, 238 

Mosquito  Inlet,  .  4,  5,  37,  177,  184 
Mosquito  Lagoon,      4,  5,  6,  7,  184,  188 

Montreal,  Canada, 5 

Moonfishes 12,  67 

Montreal  Fly, 73 

Morays,        30 

Moray,  Spotted, 30 

Moray,  Black 30 

Morena  Verde, 30 

Mossbunker, 37 

Mollusc, 33,  40 

Moore,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  R. ,  .  52,  53 
Monocanthus  Ciliatus,  ....  134 
Monocanthus  Hispidus,  ....  135 
Mosquito  Lighthouse,  ....  44 
Molasses  Kev  and  Channel,      .     .     234 

Mullet,  Roe,' 43 

Mullet,  Silver,        43 

Mullet,  White, 43 

Mullets,   .     32,  42,  43,  44,  45,  105,  158 

Mullet,  Common, 42 

Mullet,  Striped, 42 

Mugil  Cephalus, 42 

Mugil  Curema, 43 

Mutton-fish,      ...      91,  92,  93,  116 

Mud  Parrot, 128 

Murcielago 141 

Mud  Fish, 154 

Mud  Sucker, 154 

Mycteroperca  Venenosa,  ...  78 
Mycteroperca  Boulengcri,  ...  78 
Mycteroperca  Bonaci,  ....  78 
Mycteroperca  Microlepis,  ...  79 
Mycteroperca  Falcata  Phenax,       .        79 


PAGE. 

Narrow  Gauge, 3 

Nassau  Grouper, 77 

Narrow  Shad  (Key  West  Bait),  .  237 
New  Smyrna,  .  .  3,  5,  6,  7,  45,  187 
New  Smyrna  Bridge,       ....      187 

New  River, 6 

New  River  Inlet 177 

New  River  Inlet  and  Sound,    .     .     205 

Needlefish 39,  40 

New  England  Hake, 144 

Negre, 76 

Neomoenis  Griseus, 85 

Neomaenis  Apodus, 88 

Neoma;nis  Aya, 90 

Neomajnis  Analis, 92 

Neomaenis  Synagris, 94 

New  York  Aquarium,  .  .  .13,  121 
New    Found    Harbor    Keys    and 

Channel, 235 

Nickel  Plated  Spoons,     ....     158 

Nigger  Cut, 177,  193 

Nigger-fish, 76 

Norris,  Thaddeus,  .  .  .  .  3,  4,  13 
Norris  Cut,  .     .     34,  131,  177,  213,  214 

North  River  Shad, 35 

Northern  Whiting, 122 

Northwestern  R'y, 74 

Northern  Peninsula  of  Michigan,  74 
Northern  Wisconsin,        ....        74 

North  River, 180 

No  Name  Key  and  Channel,  234,  238 
Nurse  Shark, 17 

Oak  Hill  House, 5,  7 

Oak  Hill, 5,  188 

Old  Man  of  the  Sea, 67 

Opansus  Tau, 144 

Opansus  Pardus, 144 

Ontanogan  River, 74 

Old  Rhodes  Key,        221 

Ocean  House, 5,  7 

Ostero  Bay, 8 

Ocean  Springs, 8 

Oceanic  Bonito, 49 

Oswego  Bass, 72 

Open-mouthed  Grunt,     ....     102 

Old  Wench, 134 

Otsego  Bass, 72 

Oldwife, 120,  134,  151 

Ormond, 4,  5,  5,  182 

Ormond  Bridge, 182 

Orthopristis  Chrysopterus,  .  .  .  107 
Ogcocephalus  Vespertilio,  .  .  .  150 
Oconomowoc  Lakes,  Wis.,       .     .        73 

Ormond  by  the  Sea, 182 

Ormond  Beach, 182 

Old  Rhodes  Key,  ....  221,  222 
Ocyurus  Chrysurus, 95 


INDEX. 


263 


PAGE. 

Oyster  Crabs, 158 

Oyster-fish, 144,  156 

Oysters  for  Bait, 158 

Palatka, 3 

Prather,  John  G 5 

Paine's  Boarding  House,     ...         7 

Pacetti,  B.  J., 7,  211 

Pass  a  Grille, 8 

Pass  Christian, 8 

Pablo  Beach, 179 

Panama, 9 

Paines,  James  and  Thos.,  .  .  .  193 
Pampanos  (see  Pompano). 

Palmasola  Bay, 44 

Palm  Beach,     ....       57,  200-202 

Palometa, 55,  59 

Parmachene  Belle  Fly,    ....        73 

Paranthias  Furcifer, 83 

Prawns 156,  158 

Pargo  Colorado,    ...      90,  112,  151 

Pargo  Guachinango, 90 

Pargo, 92 

Pargo  Criollo, 92 

Pagrus  Pagrus,  ....  112,  151 
Parrot  Fish,  .  .  .64,  127,  128,  129 
Parrot  Fish,  Green,  .  .  .  127,  129 
Parrot  Fish,  Blue,      .     .     .       127,  129 

Plate-fish, 136 

Paralichthys  Dentatus,  ....  145 
Paralichthys  Lethostigmus,  .  .  145 
Paralichthys  Squamilentus,  .  .  146 
Paralichthys  Albiguttus,       .      .      .      146 

Palo  Alto  Key 221,  222 

Phantom  Minnow,      .     .     34,  158,  164 

Planter, 227 

Peninsular  R.  R., 3 

Peabody,  Geo.  F. , 5 

Pease  Creek, 8 

Pearl  River, 8 

Pensacola, 8 

Permits,  ....        12,  54,  55,  59,  60 

Permit,  Small, 59 

Pez  Sierra, 23 

Pez  de  Espada, 23 

Permit  of  Indian  River,  .  .  55,  59 
Permit  of  Key  West,       ....       54 

Pez  de  Pluma, 110,  110 

Pescado  Colorado, 118 

Perro  Perro, 126 

Perro  Colorado, 126 

Pseudoscarus  Guacamaia,     .      .      .      129 

Pega, 143 

Pseudopleuronectes  Americanus,  .     147 

Perch, 73 

Peninsular  &  Occidental  Steamship 

Co., 206 

Pent,  Eddie, 213 


PAGE. 

Perrine,  Doctor, 230 

Pelican  Key  and  Channel,    .     .     .     235 

Pine  Island, 8 

Picked  Dogfish, 23 

Pristis  Pectinatus, 23 

Picuda, 45 

Prieto, 99 

Pilchard 155,  158 

Pigfish, 107,  152 

Pinfish, 113,  121,  152 

Prinotus  Scitulus, 141 

Pilot  Fish, 144 

Pitts  Island, 202 

Pickerel, 73,  74 

Piano  Wire,  Steel,  ....  50,  161 
Privateer,  Schooner,  .  .  209,  212,  219 
Pigeon  Key  and  Channel,  .  .  .  234 
Pierce,  Henry  J.,  .     .     .     .       236,244 

Pintado, 50 

Pier,  The  (Lake  Worth),  .  .  87,  201 
Ponce  Park,      .     .     .      4,  5,  6,  84,  184 

Port  Tampa, 8 

Poinset,  Lake, 7 

Porgies,    10,   12,    108,    109,    110, 

111,  112,  151,  158 
Porkfish,  ....    10,  106,  106,L 

Pomolobus  Pseudoharengus,    .     .       34 

Potomac  Shad, 35 

Pogy, 37 

Pompano,     .     .     12,  54,  54i,  55-60,  64 

Pompano,  Round, 55 

Pompano,  Irish, 116 

Pomatomus  Saltatrix,  ....  68 
Polka  Dot  Grouper,  ....  75,  219 
Promicrops  Guttatus,       ....        80 

Post-croaker, 120,  151 

Pogonias  Cromis, 124 

Portugais, 131 

Pomacanthus  Arcuatus,       .     .     .     131 

Porcupine-fish, 139 

Porpoise, 44 

Port  Orange, 183 

Porpoise  Key  and  Channel,     .  234,  238 

Punta  Rassa, 8 

Punta  Gorda, 8 

Pumpkin  Seed, 72 

Pudiano, 126 

Puffers, 137,  138,  140 

Puerco  Espino, 139 

Pumpkin  Creek,  ....  222,  223 
Pyes  Harbor  Key  and  Channel,     .     235 

Quay,  Senator, 31 

Quays  Canal, 193 

Rand,  McNally  cS;  Co.,    .     .     .     .4,13 

Ragged  Keys, 8,  219 

Rays, 12,  13,  25,  160 


264 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Raja  Erinacea, 24 

Rachycentron  Canadus,       ...       69 

Rabirubia, 83,  84,  95,  96 

Rabirubia  de  lo  Alto,      ....       83 

Rabbit-fish, 140 

Ragged  Keys  Passes,       ....      177 
Ram  Rod  Key  and  Channel,     .     .     235 

Raccoon  Key, 238 

Red  Snappers,  ...       10,  90,  90i,  91 

Red  Groupers, 10,  76,"  76i 

Red  Ibis  Fly, 73 

Red  Hind, 75 

Red-tail  Snapper, 94 

Red-mouth  Grunt, 103 

Red  Porgy,        112,  151 

Red  Drum, 118 

Red-fish, 118 

Regador, 143 

Remora, 144 

Remora  Brachyptera,       ....     144 

Red  Cloth  as  Bait 159 

Red  Cedar  as  Bait, 159 

Reid,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  M.,     .     .       53 

Reid,  Miss, 53 

Ribbon  Fish 125 

Riviera, 200 

Riviera,  Hotel 7 

Rock  Ledge, 7,  45,  190 

Royal  Poinciana,  ...    7,  57,  61,  200 

Roe  Mullet, 43 

Royal  Palm  Hotel,  51,  53,  60,  209,  231 

Round  Pampano, 55,  59 

Rovalia 69,  253 

Roach  Bream,        71 

Rock  Hind, 75 

Rockfish, 77,  78 

Robalo, 69,  253 

Ronco  Prieto 99,  152 

Ronco  Blanco 99,  152 

Ronco  Amarillo, 100 

Ronco  Ronco, 101 

Ronco  Arara, 101 

Ronco  Condenado, 102 

Roncadina, 121 

Rock  Shellfish, 136 

Rock  Bass 73 

Roseland 190 

Rockland  and  East  Rockland  Keys 

and  Channels, 235 

Robinson  Crusoe,   Sloop,     .     .     .     203 
Rosenhof,  Rosel  von,      ....      157 

Rhodes  Key,  Old, 221 

Rods 160 

Rod  Tips, 161 

Rod  Guides, 161 

Runners 62,  63,  64 

Running  Jack, 63 

Rudder-fish, 117 


Rushton  Cedar  Boat, 


PAGE. 

.     74 


St.  Augustine,       .     .     3,  4,  6,  124,  180 

St.  Augustine  Inlet, 177 

St.  Johns  River,    .     .     .     .      3,  5,  6,  7 

St.  Johns  Bar 177 

Sanford 3,  7 

Sands  Key, 220 

Saury,  Mr., 5,  18 

Sams,  Frank  W., 5,  6 

St.  Sebastian  River, 6 

St.  Lucie  River 195,  196 

Spanish  Mackerel,  7, 10,48^,  49,  158, 159 
Sands  Cut,  ....     8,  177,  220,  222 

Shark  Creek, 8 

San  Carlos  Pass, 8 

St.  Petersburgh, 8,  18 

Sarasota, 8 

Sarasota  Bay, 8,  44 

St.  James  City, 8 

St.  Louis,  Bay, 8 

Snappers,     .     10,  12,  85,  88,  90,  92,  94 

Small-Mouth  Bass, 74 

San  Pablo, 179 

Snapper  Banks, 10 

State  of  Florida, 217 

Sharks,  12,  13,  16,  18-22,  44,64, 158, 160 

Shark  Hooks, 161 

Shark  Stories, 18-22 

Skates 13,  24 

Skate,  Common, 24 

Sand  Shark, 17 

Spanish  Names  of  Fishes,    ...       13 

Swamp  Bass, 72 

Sawfish,  Common, 23 

Saw-fish 158 

Savanilla, 31 

Snake  Eel, .,      30 

Sabalo 31 

Sand  Fleas, 33 

Savalle, 31 

Sand  Crab, 33,  158,  231 

Sarno, 190 

Shad, 35 

Small  Permit 59 

Sardinella  Sardina, 36 

Sardines, 158 

Sardina  De  Ley, 36 

Sand  Perch, 39,  82 

Sand-fish, 48,  82 

Scabbard  Fish, 51 

Sable, 51 

Savola, 51 

Sailfish, 52,  158 

Small  Permit,         59 

Snap  Mackerel, 68 

Scamp, 79 

Stake-fish, 84 


INDEX. 


265 


Sailor's  Choice,  99,  107,  113,  121, 

152,  153,  158 

Saw  Grass,        72 

Saucer-eye  Porgy, 110 

Shad  Porgy,     ......  .     m 

Salt-water  Bream,       .      .    113,  H4,  121 

Salema, 114 

Sargo  Raiado,        115 

Sclsenops  Ocellatus, 118 

Sand  Whiting, 122 

Spanish  Lady-fish, 126 

Spanish  Hogfish, 126 

Sparisima  Chrysopterum,      .      .      .      127 

Sparisima  Viride, 127 

Sparisima  Flavescens,     ....      128 

Scarus  Croicensis, 129 

Scarus  Qeruleus, 129 

Snake  Key, 238 

Salmonete,        129 

Saddle  Hill  Island  and  Channel,  .     235 

Spade-fish, 130 

Saddle   Bunch    Keys    and    Chan- 
nels,             235,  238 

Shark-sucker, 143 

Snake  Creek, 205 

Sapo 144 

Salt  Water  Chub,       .     .     .     .     '     117 
Santa  Lucia,  East  Coast  Railway 

Steamer, 57,  58 

Salt  Water  Pike, 45 

Salt  Water  Mascalonge,      ...       45 

Sea  Bass, 4;  150 

Sea  Trout,  Spotted, '  H8 

Sheepshead,      .     .     .        H4,  H4i;  115 
Sheepshead,  Holbrook,  .     .     .  116 

Sea  Catfish, 28 

Stearns,        31 

Sea-horse, 41,  42 

Serrano, 48    82 

Spearfish, 52 

Seriola  Lalandi, 60 

Seriola  dumerili, 61 

Selene  Vomer, 67 

Sergeant  Fish, 69,  253 

Seth  Green  Fly, 73 

Speckled  Hind, 75 

Sebastian  River, 6 

Sebastian  Bridge, 180 

Stenotomus  Chrysops,     ....      108 
Stenotomus  Aculeatus,    ....     109 

Sheepshead  Porgy, HI 

Sea  Crabs 158 

Sea  Trout, 11^  us 

Sea  Mink, 122 

Serrana, 125 

Shellfish, 136 

Swell-fishes,      ....    137,  139,  140 
Spheroides  Spengleri,     ....     137 


Swell  Toad,       .     .     .     . 
Spheroides  Maculatus,     . 
Spheroides  Marmoratus, 
Spheroides  Testudineus, 
Sea  Robin, 


PAGE. 

137,  138,  140 
...  138 
...  139 
...  139 
.     141 


Steamer  City  of  Key  West,       .     .       57 
Sebastian  River  Bridge,        .      .      .      180 

Sea  Breeze, 183 

Sea  Breeze  Pier, 183 

Sebastian, 190 

Sebastian  River, 191 

Sebastian  Bay, 191 

Sewell's  Point,  P.  O.,     .     .     .     .     195 

Sea  Chub, 117,  219 

Steamboat  Creeks, 223 

Shell  Key, 231 

Sea  Fisherman  (Wilcocks),       .      .        13 
Seminole  War,      .     .     .     .     .     .     230 

Siberia, 10 

Smithsonian  Institution,       ...        11 

Skittle-dog 23 

Stingray 25 

Stingaree, 25 

Smiths  Creek,        182 

Silver  King, 31 

Sprite, 33,  158,  231 

Skip  Jack, 34,  68 

Striped  Anchovy, 38 

Striped  Mullet, 42 

Silver  Mullet, 43 

Sierra., 49,  50 

Silverfish, 31,  51 

Spikefish, 52 

Silver  Moonfish, 67 

Shrimp, 156,  158 

Striped  Grunt, 98 

Silver  Whiting, 123 

Shippy,  Lillie,  Sloop,      ....     232 

Spiny-back, 139 

Slimer, 144 

Silver  Hake, 144 

Shiny  Scup, 152 

Skinner's  Fluted  Spoons,     .       119,  158 
Silver  Plated  Spoons,      ....     163 

Squids, 165 

Silvered  Minnows, 158 

Snipe  Key,         238 

Swivels,        166 

Sinkers,    Eggshaped,   and   others, 

161,  167,  175 
Simmons  Hardware  Co.,      .     .     .     175 

Scott,  Genio  C 3.  14 

Sportsmen's  Gazetteer,    ....         3 

Spongers, 215 

Soldier  Kev,  8,  34,  51,  52,  68,  177, 

210,  216,  218 
Spotted  Sea  Trout,  .  .  10,  118,  118£ 
Spotted  Sting  Ray, 26 


266 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Shovel-head  Shark, 16 

Southern  Sting  Ray, 25 

Soldier  Crabs, 33,  158 

Spoons, 31,  34,  163,  164 

Stolephorus  Perthecatus,      ...  38 

Stolephorus  Brownii,       ....  38 

Soapfish, 38 

Spot, 120,  151,  152,  158 

Soldado, 47 

Scomberomorus  Maculatus,      .     .  49 

Scomberomorus  Cavalla,      ...  50 

Spolia  Atlantica, 68 

Snook, 69,  253 

Spotted  Jewfish, 80 

Schoolmaster,  .......  88 

Southern  Porgy 109 

Spotted  Weakfish, 118 

Smooth  Puffer, 137 

Southern  Puffer, 137 

Southern  Flounder, 145 

Spotted  Flounder, 147 

Sole,  American 148 

Soles, 148,  149 

Stone  Crab, 158 

"Sproat,  Mr.," 162 

Sombrero  Lighthouse,     ....  244 

Schooner  Tarpon, 45 

Scudder,  Jno.  A., 5 

Suckers, 12,  64 

Squirrel  Fish,   ....   39,  47,  48,  82 

Squalus  Acanthias, 23 

Sunfish, 71,  72,  73 

Sunny, 72 

Scuppaug, 108 

Squeteague 117 

Surf  Whiting, 123 

Stuffonier 142,  155,  158 

Sucking-fish, 143 

Summer  Flounder 145 

Sunfish,  Blue  Gill, 74 

Superior,  Lake, 75 

Squids, 158 

Spruce  Creek, 184 

Stuart, 195 

Scup,  Common, 108 

Sugar  Loaf  Key  and  Channel,    235,  238 

Summerland  Keys  and  Channels,  235 
Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of  North 

America, 11 

Sphyrna  Tiburo, 16 

Sphyrna  Zygrena,        16 

Synodus  Fcetens, 38 

Synodus  lucioceps, 38 

Sphyraneana  Barracuda,      ...  45 

Tarpon,  .     .     .     .     4,  5,  8,  3.1,  45,  160 

Table  of  Contents, 1 

Tampa, 6,  8,  9 


PAGE. 

Tarpon  Springs, 8 

Tampa  Bay, 8,  10,  44 

Tarpon  Atlanticus 31 

Tarpum, 31 

Trachinotus  Carolinus,    ....       54 

Trachinotus, 54-60 

Trachinotus  Falcatus,  .  .  55,  59,  60 
Trachinotus  Goodei,  ....  54,  59 
Trachurops  Crumenophthalmus,  .       62 

Tambor, 137,  139 

Tally-Wag, 150 

Tautoga  Onitis, 156 

Tautog, 156 

Tarpon  Rod 161 

Tarpon  Gaff, 161 

Tarpon  Reel, 161 

Tarpon  Hooks  and  Snoods,      .    32,  161 

Tackle  Box, 162 

Tavernier  Creek,  ....       177,  226 

Ten  Pounder, 33 

Titusville, 3,  7,  190 

Thirteen  Yarn,  ....  231,  232 
Trichiurus  Lepturus,       ....       51 

Tide  Runner, 63 

Tripple-tail, 84 

Trigger-fish,  ....  133,  134,  135 
Tips  for  Rods,       .     .     .    161,  168,  169 

Tides,  The, 177 

Tomoka  River, 4,  182 

Tobacco  Box, 24 

Thompson,  Charles,  ....      52,  53 

Toro, 66,  137 

Trout, 73 

Tom  Tate, 103 

Toad-fish, 140,  144 

Toms  Key  and  Channel,  .  .  .  233 
Torch  Key  and  Channel,     .     .     .     234 

Trolling, 34 

Trolling  lines, 161 

Turbot, 133,  135 

Trunkfish, 136 

Thumb  Stalls, 161 

Turkey  Creek, 191 

Tylosurus  Acus, 39 

Tylosurus  Raphidoma,    ....       39 

Upeneus  Martinicus,       ....      129 

Uncle  Henry, 57 

Upper  Minnetonka, 73 

Upper  Matacumbe  Channel,  177,  229 
Upper  Matacombe  Key,      .       229,  230 

Uncle  Henry, 57,  58 

U.  S.  Com.  Bulletin,  1897,  .  121,  152 
U.  S.  Com.  Bulletin,  1898,  .  .  121 
United  States  National  Museum, 

11,  13,  15 
United  States  Geodetic  Survey,  .  213 
United  States  Fish  Commission,  9,  11,  12 


INDEX 


267 


PAGE. 

United  States  Fish  Commission,  1899,  12 
U.  S.  Com.,  1895,  .  59,  60,  116,  140 
U.  S.  Com.  Report,   1896,  54,  59, 

60,  86,  116,  121,  133,  152,  154 

Uncle  Sam, 216 

Uncle  Henry, 216 

United  States  Government,       .      .     218 

Vaca  Keys  and  Channels,     .      .     .  234 

Verma  Kendalli, 30 

Venus, 199 

Vieja 127 

Vieja  Colorado, 128 

Vieja  Muger, 128 

Virginia  Hooks, 161 

Virginia  Key, 206 

Voilier, 52 

Volador, 141 

Vom    Hofe   Reel,    Edward,     161, 

169,  170,  171 

Volusia  Co., 186 

Vom  Hofe  Reel,  Julius,       ...  161 

Walker,  Prof.  W.  A.,       5,  87,  230,  231 

Ward,  Capt., 6,  56 

Wall-eyed  Herring, 34 

Warmouth 70 

War  Eagle  Lake,  Minn.,  ...  74 
Watersmeet,  Mich.,    ....      74,  75 

Water  Glass, 214 

Wall  Key, 238 

Water  Key, 238 

"Wrack  "'Yarn, 232 

Welshman,        47 

West  Palm  Beach,      ....    57,  200 

Weakfish, 117 

West  Summerland  Keys  and  Chan- 
nel  234 

West  Coast,  3,  6,  7,  8,  10,  31,  32,  82,  233 
Webster's  Dictionary,     ....       13 

Whitewater  Bay, 8 

Whip  Tailed  Ray, 26 


PAGE. 

Whitefish, 37 

White  Mullet,        43 

White  Perch 97 

White  Grunt, 105 

Windy  Key, 229 

Whiting, 122,  123,  144 

Whiting,  Surf, 123 

Windy  Island  Channel,         .      .      .  229 

Whiting,  Northern 122 

Whiting,  Carolina, 122 

Whiting,  Silver, 123 

Whiting,  Sand, 122 

Winter  Flounder, 147 

Whiting,  Key, 238 

Window  Pane, 147 

White  Cloth  as  Bait,       ....  159 

White  Cotton  Line, 162 

White  Bear  Lake,  Minn.,    .     .      73,  74 

White  Phantom  Minnows,   .      .     .  158 

Wilcocks,  J.  C, 13 

Wolf  River, 8 

Worm  Eel, 30 

Wood,  W.  H., 32 

Worth  Inlet,  Lake,    .     .     .       201,  203 

Worth  Canal,  Lake, 200 

Worth  P.  O.,  Lake 202 

Worms  (bait) 72 

Yachts, 247 

Yellowtails,       .     .     10,  94^,  95,  96,  97 

Yellow-tail  Runner,    ..."..  62 

Yellow  Mackerel, 63 

Yellow  Jack, 68,  158 

Yellow-finned  Grouper,  ....  78 

Yellow  Grunt, 100 

Yellow  Goatfish, 129 

Yellowstone  Lake, 59 

Yellowstone  Park, 59 

Zellers,  Capt.  John, 7,  8 

Zimmerman,  John  B.,     .     .     .     .  232 


ADDITIONAL    INDEX. 


Atlantic  City 246 

Addenda, 253-278 

American  Banks,  Key  West,    .     .     243 

Adirondacks, 246 

Albula  Vulpes,  Discussion,  249,  250, 

253-278 
Aquariums,   Various,       ....     243 


Bears  Cut,  Biscayne  Bay, 


251 


Biscayne  Bav,  249,  252,  255,  255, 

270,  273,  274,  275,  277,  277,  278 
Big-eyed  Herring,      .     .     .        249,  250 

Brice,  John  J 278 

Brighton  England,  Aquarium,       .      243 
Billingsgate  Fish  Market,    .      .      .      243 

British  America, 245 

Brickie,  Win.,  Miami,  Fla.,     .     .     250 
Bonefish,      248-252 


268 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Bonefish  Discussion,     248-252,  253-278 

Brochet  de  Mer, 253 

Bluefish  Channel,  Key  West,  .  .  243 
Bulletin  47,  U.  S.  Nat.  Museum,  249 
Bulletin  16,  U.  S.  Nat.  Museum,       249 


Crawfish  Channel,  Key  West, 
Crawford  Bar,  Key  West,  . 
Centropomus  Undecimalis, 
Cocoa  Plum  Point,  Biscayne  Bay, 
Cocoanut  Grove,  Biscayne  Bay,  . 
Cow  Pen  Bay  of  Florida,  . 
Cuba, 


243 
243 
253 
251 
251 
245 
243 


Evermann,  Barton,  Warren,  266,  278 
Evermann  &  Kendall,  250,  266,  277, 

277,  278 
Elops  Saurus  Discussion,    248-252, 

253-278 

Fish  Markets,  Various,  .  .  .  243 
Florida  Fish  Laws,  .  .  186,  190,  246 
Fishes  of  North  America,  W.  C. 

Harris, 270-274 

Florida  East  Coast  Railway  Co.,  247 
Florida  East  Coast  Hotel  Co.,  .  247 
Fort  Taylor,  Key  West,      ...     243 

Georgian  Bay,  Ontario,  Canada,  .  245 
Good,  G.  Browne,  .  .  249,  263,  277 
Giinther,  A.  C.  L.,    .     .     .       256,  276 

Harris,  Wm.  C,         .     .     270-275,  278 

Hallock,  Charles, 248 

Herring  Family, 256 

Head  Channel,  Key  West,  .  .  243 
Henshall,  J.  A.,  .  .  .  .  248,  263 
Hotel      and      Boarding      House 

List, 239-241 

Jordan  &  Evermann,  250,  255,  259, 

261,  276 

Jordan  &  Gilbert,    249,  254,  255, 

256,  276 

Key  West,  Florida, 251 

Kiffe  &  Co.,  H.  H.,  .     .   168,  169,  247 

Ladyfish  Discussion,  248-252,  253-278 
Lake  Saint  John,  Quebec,  .     .     .     245 


Maine  Fish  Laws, 246 

McFerran,  J.  B.,  .  .  .  .  249-252 
McCormick,  W.  F.,  Collection,  .  265 
Matthews- Northrup  Works,  .  .  247 
Mattacombe  Keys,  .  .  229,  230,  251 
Milam  &  Son,  B.  C,  .  .  170,247 
Map  of  Florida, 271 

Naples  Aquarium, 243 

I  Nantucket,        246 

New  River, 245 

New  York  Aquarium,     ....  243 

Old  Orchard,  Maine,  ....  246 
Ouananische,    .....       245,  245 

Pacific  Coast, 245 

Pebble  Channel,  Key  West,  .  .  243 
Peacock,  Mr.,  Cocoanut  Grove,  .  251 
Pearl  Channel,  Key  West,  .  .  .  243 
Porto  Rico,  Fish  and  Fisheries,  266,  278 
Plum  Point,  Biscayne  Bay,      .     .     251 

Rangely  Lakes,  Maine,  ....     246 
Resume  of  Bonefish,  etc.,  Discus- 
sion,              276-278 

Robalo,        253 

Rovalia, 253 

St.  Lawrence  River, 245 

Saguenay  River, 245 

Small  Fleet  Harbor,  Key  West,    .     243 

Sergeant-fish, 253 

Smith,  Hugh  M.,   249,  265,  266, 

276,  277 


Target  Banks,  Key  West, 


243 


United  States  Fish  Commission,       243, 

249,  250 
United    States    Fish    Commission 

Exhibits,  Various,  ....     243 

Victoria,  British  Columbia,      .     .     245 

Vom  Hofe,  Edward,  163-167,  171,  172, 

174,  175,  247 

Vom  Hofe,  Julius,        .     .     .     170,  247 


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